Sputum Nasal and Oropharyngeal Specimen Collection

Key Points

• Specimen quality depends on collecting the right source material (true sputum, not saliva).
• Correct swab-site technique improves diagnostic yield for respiratory pathogens.
• PPE, labeling, and immediate transport are core safety and reliability controls.

Equipment

• Sterile sputum container
• Swab kit(s) for nasal, nasopharyngeal, or oropharyngeal collection
• PPE appropriate to suspected pathogen/isolation level
• Biohazard transport bags, labels, and requisition materials

Procedure Steps

1. Verify order, collection site/type, and patient identity.
2. Perform hand hygiene, don PPE, and explain procedure and expected sensations.
3. For sputum collection: coach deep cough from chest and collect expectorated sputum into sterile container.
4. For nasal/nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal collection: use correct swab pathway and depth per kit and policy.
5. Avoid touching non-target surfaces to reduce contamination.
6. Secure specimen, label at bedside with collection site and timestamp.
7. Transport immediately per lab and isolation protocol requirements.
8. Document collection type, tolerance, and any difficulties affecting specimen quality.

Common Errors

• Submitting saliva instead of sputum → low diagnostic value.
• Incorrect swab-site depth/path → false-negative risk.
• Delayed transport or unlabeled specimen → unreliable or rejected results.

Related

• sputum-culture-and-acid-fast-testing-for-tuberculosis - Diagnostic rationale and TB-focused serial sampling principles.
• standard-precautions - Core infection-control framework during specimen handling.
• culture-and-sensitivity-testing-in-infection-management - Specimen quality affects targeted antimicrobial planning.