Sputum Culture & Susceptibility

Patient Preparation

For general aspects of taking respiratory samples we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.

 Sputum

• Ask patient to take three deep breaths in through their nose, exhale through pursed lips and then force a deep cough.
• Ask patient to expectorate into a 20ml white top sterile sample container.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) / Bronchial Washings

• BAL / washings should be collected according to local protocols using sterile fluids as the instillate.
• Recovered lavage fluid should be aseptically transferred to a 20ml white top sterile sample container