All microbiology testing for Eastern Health is centralised at Box Hill Hospital

Telephone:..........................................................................................................................9895 3475

• Monday – Friday (0700-2100 hours)
• Weekends (0700- 1730 hours)

After hours:...................................................................................................................... 9895 3473

• On-call service:...................................................................................................... 9895 3473

Specimen Collection

Specimen kits, sterile containers and swabs are present in the wards and departments and are available from the laboratory.

The following kits are provided with instructions for use

• General Microscopy & Culture Kits
• PID, STD, Urethritis – Microscopy & Culture Kits
• MSU samples
• Catheter Urine samples
• Throat swab - Culture kits
• Blood cultures
• Skin scrapings collection kits
• Scabies collection kit
• Semen Post-vasectomy collection

If fluids or pus is present, a portion of this must be sent to the laboratory in a sterile container, rather than a swab.

Microbiology Test Ordering Guidelines

General Principles

• Obtain specimens before starting antimicrobial therapy.
• Use strict aseptic technique
• Obtain specimens from normally sterile sites, taking care to minimize contamination
• Collect an adequate volume of specimen: fresh tissue (not in formalin) or fluid is preferable to a swab
• Label all specimen containers with patient information and specimen source / site
• Give relevant clinical information
• Notify the laboratory in advance if special tests are requested or unusual pathogens suspected
• If a highly contagious disease is suspected, discuss with ID; do not use the pathology specimen chute
• Do not send any specimen with a needle attached
• Deliver specimens promptly (within 1-2 hours of collection) to the laboratory

Specimens which are unsuitable for culture

• Swabs of decubitus ulcer, perirectal abscess, periodontal lesion, burn wound, gangrenous ulcer (aspirate or tissue are suitable if culture is required)
• Vomitus
• Colostomy discharge
• Foley catheter tip