When you will reject a sputum sample for staining or culture?

Rejection criteria: A direct smear is used to screen for excessive squamous epithelial cells which indicates saliva. Sputum will be rejected if 10 or more squamous epithelial cells are seen per low power field on gram stain. The nursing station will be called and a new sputum specimen will be requested.

Table of Contents

How reliable is sputum culture?

The sensitivity and specificity of the gram-positive diplococci identification in the sputum culture of Streptococcus pneumoniae were 60% and 97.6%, and the positive and negative predictive values were 91% and 85.3%, respectively. Conclusions Good-quality sputum with PM could be obtained in only 14.4% of all patients.

What are the reasons for unacceptable sputum specimen?

One of two criteria are currently used to determine if the specimen is contaminated with oral flora organisms, which would make the specimen unsuitable for culture. One criterion states that the sputum specimen should be rejected if 25 or more squamous epithelial cells/low power field (SQE/LPF) are observed.

What type of specimen is best for a sputum test?

To be sure the test is accurate, you must cough up sputum from deep inside your lungs. Sputum from your lungs is usually thick and sticky. Saliva comes from your mouth and is watery and thin. Do not collect saliva.

How long does sputum sample last?

The sample can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours if needed. Don’t freeze it or store it at room temperature. If you can’t cough up sputum, try breathing the steam from boiling water or take a hot, steamy shower. The sputum must come from deep inside your lungs for the test to be accurate.

How long does a sputum test last?

This test involves collecting a sample of sputum. It is important to follow these instructions to make sure the test is completed correctly. Allow about 20 minutes to carry out the sputum test. the test, so make sure you have enough time to go to your local post box before you start the test.

How long is a sputum sample good for?

It is concluded that sputum should not be stored at room temperature for longer than 3 days for culture but it can be stored for 4 weeks without any loss of smear-positivity.

What is the best time of day to obtain a sputum specimen?

Best time of day to collect sputum is when you first wake. Do not eat, drink or smoke before coughing up sputum from the lungs. Rinse (do not swallow) the mouth with water before sputum is collected to minimize residual food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs that might contaminate the specimen.

What are the criteria for specimen rejection?

Rejection

Incorrect specimen collection container.
insufficient specimen quantity.
Transported incorrectly.
Inadequate fixative.
specimen too large for container.
Incorrect media.
Specimen stability compromised (i.e. age of specimen, temperature stored)

How long does it take for sputum culture results?

Results from a sputum test

Your pathologist will send a report to your doctor as soon as possible. Typically, your doctor will have test results back within a few days. Rapid TB tests can be ready in as little as 24 hours, but results for other lung diseases can take as long as eight weeks.

How fresh does a sputum sample need to be?

Keep the samples in the refrigerator. Return each sample to the clinic within two days of collection. clean cup with a screw cap ▪ Collect one sample. Keep the sample in the refrigerator.

Does a sputum sample need to be fresh?

If the sputum sample is obtained in the evening the sample should be kept in the fridge overnight to try and keep the sample fresh. Taking a sputum sample at times when you do not have an infection e.g. when you attend the clinic for a regular appointment, is also helpful for deciding your long term treatment.

How long can sputum be stored before testing?

The Manual of Clinical Microbiology says sputum can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours or kept at room temperature for up to two hours prior to processing for potential pathogens.

How much sputum is needed for a sputum test?

1-2 teaspoons of specimen is adequate. The container should not be more than ½ full. 6. Once collected, screw the lid on tightly.

What is the best time to collect sputum specimen?

Sputum specimens should be collected in the early morning if possible. Collect 3 sputum specimens on 3 consecutive days unless otherwise instructed. Specimens should be kept in the refrigerator until they are submitted to the laboratory.

Why is sputum test done for 3 days?

You will be asked to cough deeply and spit any phlegm that comes up from your lungs into a special container. The sample is sent to a lab. There, part of it is placed in a special dish (culture). It is then watched for two to three days or longer to see if bacteria or other disease-causing germs grow.

What is the most common cause of specimen rejection?

The most common reasons for specimen rejection were contamination (n = 764, 35.1%), inappropriate collection container/tube (n = 330, 15.2%), quantity not sufficient (QNS) (n = 329, 15.1%), labeling errors (n = 321, 14.7%), hemolyzed specimen (n = 205, 9.4%), and clotted specimen (n = 203, 9.3%).

What is the common cause of specimen rejection in labs?

The most common reasons for specimen rejection were contamination (n=764, 35.1%), inappropriate collection container/tube (n=330, 15.2%), quantity not sufficient (QNS) (n=329, 15.1%), labeling errors (n=321, 14.7%), hemolyzed specimen (n=205, 9.4%), and clotted specimen (n=203, 9.3%).

How long is a sputum sample good?

How many hours can a sputum sample last?

For best results, return the sample to the clinic within two hours. If this is not possible, keep the sample at room temperature and return it within 24 hours.

When you will reject a sputum sample for staining or culture?