Acid Fast Bacilli (Sputum)

COLLECTION PROCEDURE

1. Instruct properly the patient that they should rinse their mouth very well to remove food remnants before collection.

2. Advice the patient to inhale deeply 2 to 3 times, breathe out hard each time.

3. Cough deeply from the chest.

4. Place the open container close to the mouth to collect the sputum.

5. After collection close the container with the screw-on lid without touching the inside of the lid. Avoid spills or soiling the outside of the container.

A. Fill up the NTP Form

B. SPUTUM COLLECTION

The most productive sputum can be collected in the morning.

1. Expectorated Sputum

a. Rinse the mouth and gargle with water. Do not brush teeth prior to collection.

b. Take a deep breath and make a deep cough. Good quality sputum should not contain saliva. Specimen should be collected in a sterile leak-proof container and delivered to the laboratory without delay.

c. Properly close and wipre dry the container. Label sample container with patient's complete name, date and time of collection.

2. Induced Sputum

a. Rinse the mouth and gargle with water. Do not brush teeth prior to collection.

b. Using a nebulizer, have the patient inhale approximately 20 to 30 mL of 20 to 30 mL of 3% NaCl.

c. Take a deep breath and make a deep cough. Collect the induced sputum into a sterile leak-proof container delivered to the laboratory without delay.

d. Properly close and wipre dry the container. Label sample container with patient's complete name, date and time of collection.