- Morning sample is preferred. Plugs of sputum are collected aseptically in the sterile wide mouthed container and its lid secured tightly.
- Mouth should be washed with clean water.
- Sputum has to be coughed out from the lungs. Saliva or oropharyngeal secretion should not be collected. If no sputum comes out, the patient should be encouraged to cough after steam inhalation or chest physiotherapy (induced sputum).
- The container is labeled properly and brought to the laboratory within 30 minutes of collection.
- In case of unconscious patients, sputum should be collected with the help of a sterile disposable suction catheter by a doctor or trained nurse.
- In case of patients with endotracheal intubation, secretions should be collected by passing a sterile disposable suction catheter inside the endotracheal tube by a doctor or trained nursing staff, collect secretion and send in a sterile container.
- Gastric washing can be used for the isolation of M. tuberculosis but not for other respiratory pathogens. This is useful for pediatric patients.
