Patient Instructions:
For the sputum sample:
. Do not eat, drink, or smoke for at least 2 hours before the test.
. To ensure the collection of sputum, not saliva or nasal secretions, follow the following steps:
1. Ensure that your mouth is clean.
2. Inhale deeply, hold the air for 5 seconds, then exhale strongly twice.
3. Take a third deep breath and, on the exhalation, cough deeply from within your lungs to bring the sputum into the sterile container. Ensure the sputum goes directly to the bottom of the cup.
4. Tighten the lid securely on the cup.
. Deliver the sample to the lab immediately after collection.
For the urine sample:
. The First-morning Urine Sample is preferred, if not possible, ensure the urine is collected after holding it in the bladder for at least 2–3 hours.
. Collect a Clean Catch Midstream urine sample using the following steps:
1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Clean the genital area.
3. Start urinating in the toilet, pause, then move the collection container into the urine stream without touching the inside of the container.
4. Once the appropriate amount is collected, move the container out of the urine stream, tightly close it, and you can finish urinating in the toilet.
. Deliver the sample to the lab immediately after collection.
If delayed, store the sample in a cool place or refrigerate it (up to 2 hours) until submission.
. Refrain from sexual activity for at least 24 hours before the test to prevent contamination.
. For women: Avoid urine collection during menstruation to prevent contamination with blood.
**Note for nurses:**
. For sputum, pus, and bronchial secretion samples, collect 2–3 ml.
. For pleural fluid, ascitic fluid, synovial fluid, pericardial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine samples, collect 10–14 ml.
. For cerebrospinal fluid samples, a minimum volume of 400 µL is required.
. For biopsy samples, collect 10 mg of tissue placed in 1X PBS solution.
. All the above samples must be transported on ice gel (4°C) and delivered to the laboratory within 24 hours.