Department of Microbiology – Lanka Hospital Diagnostics

Urine Culture and Antibiotic Sensitivity (Aerobic)

Sample
Mid-stream urine

Patient Preparation for females
Clean the genital area with normal soap and water, dry with a clean cloth, separate the labia with two fingers, pass the urine, hold the sterile container at the mid-stream and collect the sample of urine and close the screw cap tightly. Hand over the sample to the lab immediately. Delays will result in erroneous results. If unable to deliver to the lab soon, keep the sample in the fridge or carry in ice or cooler container to the lab within 24 hrs.

Patient Preparation for males
After cleaning and drying the genitals, draw the prepuce back and collect the mid-stream similar to above. Catheterized patients and other special situations contact the main lab for more details.

Sputum Culture and Antibiotic Sensitivity (Aerobic / Anaerobic)

Sample
Sputum

Patient preparation
Deeply coughed out sample of sputum (Early morning preferred), for those who are bed bound sample can be taken during chest physio therapy. Deliver the sample to the lab without delay and should not refrigerate or subject to hot temperatures.

Pus Culture and Antibiotic Sensitivity (Aerobic / Anaerobic)

Sample
Pus aspirate / pus swab

Patient Preparation
Pus aspirate is preferred, when there is no adequate sample sterile gel swab can be used to collect the sample. Surface of the lesion should be washes with saline for better results. Do not use antiseptics. Deliver the sample to the lab without delay. Do not refrigerate or subject to hot temperatures.

Nail Specimens for Fungal Direct Smear, Culture and Sensitivity

Sample
Nail scrapings / clippings

Patient Preparation
Clean the affected nail with saline and dry. Carefully collect the adequate amount of nail scrapings or clippings from the affected parts. Clean nail cutter or sterile blade can be used. Specimen can be collected to the petri dish provided from the lab.

Stool Sample for Full Report

Sample
Stool sample

Patient Preparation
Pass the sample of stools in to a clean putty or a wide container. Use a clean spoon and collect a best representing area of the stool in to the container provided from the lab, close the lid tightly and with no leak deliver it to the lab without delay.