Respiratory samples

Description: 
Microscopy, isolation, identification and susceptibility of any organism likely to be pathogenic
Clinical details: 
Chest infection, pneumonia
Related condition or disease: 
COPD, cough
Synonyms or keywords: 
Sputum, Bronchial washings, BAL, NBL, NPA, lung abscess pus
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Sputum, Bronchial washings, BAL, NBL, NPA, lung abscess pus. Minimum of 1ml and maximum 20ml of sample in a plain sterile universal container.
Turnaround time: 
2 - 3 days
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be refrigerated if transport to the laboratory is delayed.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 08/06/2021