Sputum Specimen Collection
Sputum specimen collection and handling products are used to help collect deep lung secretions to test for the presence of bacteria and abnormal cells.
Sputum specimen collections are performed for patients whose treatment is being monitored or who are suspected of having lung infections, inflammation, or other disease processes.
Sputum is the phlegm produced from coughing and expectoration. Sputum originates in the trachea and bronchi of the lower airways. Sputum specimens may be assessed for adequacy and lack of contamination before further testing is performed and should contain a minimal amount of nasal secretions or saliva.
Sputum samples may be examined visually, cultured for the presence of microbes or parasites, or further processed for cytological examination.
- Visual examinations are based on the detection of colors in the specimen
- When culturing sputum, use the part of the sample that contains any pus or blood
- Microscopic examination of unfixed wet preparations are used to identify Paragonimus westermani eggs, Strongyloides stercoralis larvae, Ascaris lumbricoides larvae, hookworm larvae, and sometimes Entamoeba histolytica
- Cultures and cytology examinations may require pre-treatment of the sputum to digest or liquify the mucus material
Sputum specimen collection products include sputum collection devices and digestants.