Specimen Required

External Ear Canal:

1. Use moistened swab to remove any debris or crust from the ear canal.
2. Insert culture swab into the ear canal until resistance is met.
3. Rotate swab and allow fliud to absorb onto swab.
4. Label with patient first and last name, medical record number, date and time of collection, source of specimen.

Middle Ear Fluid:

1. Clean external ear with mild detergent.
2. Using a syringe aspiration technique, fluid is apirated through the tympanic membrane.
3. Label specimen with patient’s first and last name, medical record umber or date of birth, date and time of collection,specimen source.
4. Send specimen to the lab in a sterile vial or in the capped syringe (needle removed).
5. Anaerobic culture can be performed upon request provided the specimen is appropriately collected.
6. If eardrum is ruptured, collect specimen by inserting a sterile swab through an auditory speculum.