Turnaround Time Physician will be notified of all positive smears and cultures within the next workday. Negative smears and cultures are reported after 8 weeks.
Special Instructions Requisition must state site of specimen. The following information must be provided to the laboratory for the proper processing of specimens: specific site of specimen, current antibiotic therapy, age and sex of patient, collection time and date, physician's name and pager number, and clinical diagnosis or underlying disease (immunosuppressed, transplant, malignancy, etc).
Causes for Rejection Insufficient specimen volume, dry swab, inadequate labeling, nonsterile container, leaking specimen. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the appropriate nursing station will be notified and another specimen will be requested.
