○ Sterile container (min volume 5 mL or 1 gram) ○ ESwab (Liquid Amies Elution Swab)
Wound aspirate ○ Decontaminate skin, collect aspirate of wound using a syringe and needle. Dispense aspirated fluid into sterile container
Wound swab ○ Decontaminate the skin with alcohol. Firmly sample the base or margin of the lesion with a swab or sample the exudate.
Facial/oral abscess swab ○ Swab surface suspected of infection with pre-moistened sterile swab. Specimens should be collected in either an anaerobic transport container or Amies transport medium.
Refer to section Sample Processing / Delivery
In-house
○ Up to 72 hours
416-586-4800 extension 4453
NO
○ Label specimen container. Place specimens in biohazard bag and seal.
○ Transport specimen to UHN/SH Microbiology Laboratory at room temperature (20-25˚C) immediately after collection. Store at refrigeration temperature (2-8˚C) if a delay in transport of more than 2h is expected.