Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube: ESwab transport tubes

Collection Instructions: Collect specimen as follows:

1. Prepare site: wash wound margins well with surgical soap followed by 70% alcohol.
2. Pass each swab into fresh purulent drainage from center of wound, avoiding surrounding skin. It may be necessary either to separate wound margins with thumb and forefinger of 1 hand (wearing a sterile glove) or make a small lance in a closed abscess before extending tip of swab deeply into wound with other hand.
3. Place swabs in sterile culture transport tubes.

Note: 1. Label tubes with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, and date and actual time of collection.

2. Specimen source is required.