MICROBIOLOGY STUDIES

Cultures must be collected using sterile technique to include:

1. Sterile gloves

2. Sterile instruments

3. Sterile blades

4. Sterile containers

5. Sterile field

Cultures should be collected at the time of the surgical procedure and submitted fresh in a separate container(s).

Label the container with the patient’s name and specimen site. (Include “right” or “left” designation if applicable.)

Indicate the specific microbiology tests the physician requests on a completed LMC tissue requisition, and the specimen container.

Place the material for microbiology studies in a separate biohazard bag, isolated from any formalin specimen containers being submitted. Send the specimen STAT to Laboratory Medicine Consultants (LMC). Call 249-4094 to arrange for a STAT courier pick-up. Microbiology studies are currently sent to Quest Diagnostics for processing.