Patient Preparation
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| Specimen Collection |
- Pure culture from normally sterile sites and/or clinical specimens such as CSF, whole blood, and serum
Isolates: Chocolate agar plate/slant
Clinical specimen: Sterile screw-cap container
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| Specimen Labeling |
- Specimen should be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers along with specimen source and match accompanying test order.
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| Specimen Processing |
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| Specimen Storage and Preservation |
- Isolates should be stored at ambient temperature.
- Clinical specimens (CSF, whole blood and serum) should be refrigerated (2-8°C) after collection. If transport/testing cannot be perfomed within 96 hours of collection specimens should be frozen at (-15°)C or lower.
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| Specimen Transport |
- Ship clinical specimens (CSF, whole blood and serum) refrigerated (2-8°C). If specimen cannot be transported/tested within 96 hours of collection, ship frozen (-15°C or lower) on Dry Ice.
- Ship isolates at ambient temperature. Do not send isolates refrigerated or frozen.
- All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180).
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| Specimen Acceptability and Rejection |
- Specimens that do not meet all specimen requirements will be rejected.
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| Testing Location |
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