Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Inner Ear

Intact Eardrum

Container/Tube: Sterile container(s)
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL of fluid

Collection Instructions: Tympanocentesis is reserved for complicated, recurrent, or chronic persistent otitis media.

1. Clean ear canal with soap solution, aspirate fluid via syringe aspiration technique by a physician trained in this procedure.

2. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. If anaerobes are suspected, collect specimen using sterile technique and place into anaerobic transport device, see ANAER “Culture, Anaerobic.”

Inner Ear

Ruptured Eardrum

Container/Tube: Swab(s)
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect fluid on 1 flexible-shaft swab (ie, culture swab via auditory speculum).
2. Insert swab into moist sponge in swab container to preserve specimen.

3. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. If anaerobes are suspected, collect specimen using sterile technique and place into anaerobic transport device, see ANAER “Culture, Anaerobic.”

Outer Ear

Container/Tube: Swab(s)
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Use a sterile swab moistened with sterile saline to remove any debris or crust from ear canal.

2. Obtain specimen by firmly rotating 2 culture swabs in outer canal.

3. Insert each swab into moist sponge in swab container to preserve specimen.

4. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. If anaerobes are suspected, collect specimen using sterile technique and place into anaerobic transport device, see ANAER “Culture, Anaerobic.”