Tracheal specimen or aspirated sputum using a sterile suction trap, sterile plastic container or transport swab; endotracheal tube in sterile container or transport medium.
The quality of the specimen will be assessed with a gram stain. Specimen with greater than 10 squamous epithelial cells per low power field and no bacteria seen on gram stain will be rejected. Potential pathogens will be identified. Susceptibility testing will be done if appropriate. Additional charges will be added for these tests.
Rejection Criteria:
Delayed transport; unsterile or leaking container; frozen specimen; poor quality specimen (presence of greater than 10 epithelial cells per low power field and no bacteria seen on gram stain).