Chapter 13: Diagnostic tests
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Post‐procedural considerations
Immediate care
Many organisms responsible for infection of the lower respiratory tract do not survive well outside the host, so specimens should be dispatched to the laboratory immediately and processed within 2 hours. If there is an anticipated delay in dispatching the sample to the laboratory, it should be refrigerated at 4–8°C and sent as soon as possible (PHE [191]).
Documentation
The date and time when a sputum sample is sent to the laboratory should be documented clearly and promptly in the patient's notes and care plan (NMC [165]). This should be done alongside documentation in relation to significant findings that have prompted the collection of the sample (such as a description of the type and colour of the sputum and/or secretions) and the method used to obtain the sample.
