Collecting a Sputum Specimen for Culture

Goal: The patient produces an adequate sample from the lungs.

1. Bring necessary equipment to the bedside stand or overbed table.

2. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.

3. Identify the patient. Explain the procedure to the patient. If the patient might have pain with coughing, administer pain medication, if ordered. If the patient can perform the task without assistance after instruction, leave the container at bedside with instructions to call the nurse as soon as specimen is produced.

4. Check specimen label with the patient’s identification bracelet. Label should include patient’s name and identification number, time specimen was collected, route of collection, identification of the person obtaining the sample, and any other information required by agency policy.

5. Close curtains around bed and close the door to the room, if possible.

6. Put on disposable gloves and goggles.

7. Adjust the bed to a comfortable working height, usually elbow height of the caregiver (VISN 8 Patient Safety Center, 2009). Lower side rail closest to you. Place patient in semi-Fowler’s position. Have patient clear nose and throat and rinse mouth with water before beginning procedure.

8. Instruct the patient to inhale deeply two or three times and cough with exhalation. If the patient has had abdominal surgery, assist the patient to splint abdomen.

9. If the patient produces sputum, open the lid to the container and have the patient expectorate the specimen into container.

10. If patient believes he or she can produce more of the specimen, have the patient repeat the procedure.

11. Close lid to container. Offer oral hygiene to the patient.

12. Remove equipment and return the patient to a position of comfort. Raise side rail and lower bed.

13. Remove goggles and gloves. Perform hand hygiene.

14. Place label on the container per facility policy. Place container in plastic, sealable biohazard bag.

15. Remove other PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.

16. Transport the specimen to the laboratory immediately. If immediate transport is not possible, check with laboratory personnel or policy manual whether refrigeration is contraindicated.