Specimen containers | Right Decisions

Most container types are available from National Procurement Logistics, Canderside Toll, Larkhall. Items are ordered using the PECOSS on line ordering system.

Blood culture bottles are supplied by Microbiology (call 201 8551 or 956 0439).

The Greiner “Vacuette” system is in use in GGC. All specimen containers should be robust and leak proof. The container must be properly closed and not externally contaminated by the contents, as this is hazardous to all staff coming into contact with these samples.

The table below shoes the appropriate specimen container for each specimen/investigation.

Specimen / investigation	Container and comments
Antral washings	Sterile universal container
Aspergillus antigen (galactomannan testing)	Bronchoalveolar lavage/clotted blood (4ml ochre coloured blood tube)
Aspirates and fluids from normally sterile sites (joint, ascites, peritoneal and pleural fluids)	Sterile universal container
Blood cultures	Blood culture Bottles Paediatric blood culture bottles
Blood for Multiplex antigen detection for pneumococcus, haemophilus and meningococcus	Lavender-topped EDTA tube (4ml adult or 1.8ml paediatric)
Bronchial washings	White-topped sterile container
Bronchoalveolar lavage	White-topped sterile container
Cervical swab	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)	White-topped sterile container
Chlamydia + GC PCR	Please contact Regional Virus lab for details 0141 201 8799
Culture for bacterial infections	Pus or a biopsy of the infected tissue is the ideal specimen. Send in a sterile universal container. If only a small sample of tissue is available, add a few drops of sterile normal saline to prevent drying. Ensure there is NO formalin or other preservative. If swabs are taken, send Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Ear swab	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Eye swab	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal For investigation of Chlamydia trachomatis. Please contact Regional Virus lab
Faeces for microscopy, C.diff toxin, C&S and virology	With the spoon provided transfer 10-15ml of faeces, or equivalent volume of fluid, into a Blue-topped sterile universal container
High vaginal swab (HVS)	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Intrauterine contraceptive device –IUCD	Send the device in a sterile universal container
Mouth swab	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Nasal swab	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Pus	Transfer into a sterile universal container. Only use Amies transport medium swab with charcoal if pus cannot be obtained
MRSA Screening	Liquid eSwab For Nose & Perineum – duo swab (white top) For Single site (e.g. nose or throat) – single swab (pink top)
Screening swabs and surface swabs (including, CRO/CPE, neonatal screens)	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Seminal fluid for culture	Sterile plain white-top universal container
Serology – e.g. syphilis, ASO, Helicobacter and Legionella Ab	Please contact Regional Virus lab
Skin, nail and hair for mycology	The most suitable method of collecting and transporting specimens of skin, hair and nail is by relevant mycology collection pack. For tissue samples, please indicate on form if fungal infection is suspected. Amies transport medium swab with charcoal are used for the investigation of Candida infections
Sputum	Sputum from deep expectoration and not saliva is required. Send specimen in White-topped sterile container (preferably wide neck for sputum)
Throat swab	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Tracheal aspirate	White-topped sterile container
Tissues and biopsies	Send in a sterile universal container. If only a small sample of tissue is available, add a few drops of sterile normal saline to prevent drying. Ensure there is NO formalin or other preservative
Tuberculosis	Best specimens are early morning sputum, urine, pus or tissue. For sputum and urine send 3 early morning specimens taken on consecutive days
Sellotape slide for Enterobious vermicularis	Press Sellotape around the perianal region and transfer to a clean microscope slide. Place this in a slide box. Alternatively send 3 dry perianal swabs taken on consecutive day
Urine for routine culture Clean-voided midstream specimen of urine Catheter specimen of urine (CSU) DO NOT SEND URINARY CATHETER TIPS	Routine bacteriology: Primary urine Red top Boric acid containers for all adult specimens Mini containers available for paediatric samples Aspirate catheter urines (CSU) form catheter tubing, not from the bag.
Early morning urine for tuberculosis	3 consecutive large Early Morning Urine (EMU) samples
Urethral swab	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal
Vesicles, ulcers and genital lesions	Refer to Regional Virus Laboratory
Water Testing (Legionella)	1L sodium thiosulphate 120mg/L container Minimum volume required 500ml Contact GRI Environmental laboratory for collection requirements for other water testing
Wound and ulcer swabs	Amies transport medium swab with charcoal