Quality Surveillance of Sputum Specimen / 中华医院感染学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To survey the qualification rate of sputum specimen.METHODS The specimen collecting and delivering time(morning,after deep coughing and gargling or not) was investigated.Aerobic bacteria isolated rate was evaluated.RESULTS The mean transportation time in positive aerobic bacteria isolated specimens and negative ones was 75 min and 124 min,respectively.Aerobic bacteria isolated rate was higher in sputum specimen that were microscopically screened for greater than 25 neutrophils,than in sputum specimen that were less then 25 neutrophils and greater than 10 BSE(buccal squamous epithelial) cells per 100? field.CONCLUSIONS Lower respiratory tract specimens should be delivered to the laboratory within 1 hour.Sputum specimen should be collected in the morning and after deep coughing and gargling.Microscopic examination should be mandatory in sputum microbiology,both for specimen evaluation and as a guide to what to look for in culture.