HHC Health & Home Care Clinical Policy And

HHC HEALTH & HOME CARE SECTION: 2-8
Respiratory: Sputum Specimen Collection __RN
PURPOSE:
To obtain specimen for culture of respiratory pathogens.
f.
g.
Don glove. Attach sterile suction catheter to
tubing of specimen trap container.
Instruct patient to tilt head back. Lubricate
catheter with normal saline and gently pass
CONSIDERATIONS:
suction catheter through nostril.
1. Sputum is a mucous secretion produced in the
lungs and bronchi. There are several methods of
obtaining specimens: a) expectoration or b) tracheal
h. As catheter reaches juncture of larynx, patient
will cough. Immediately pass catheter into
trachea. At this time, instruct patient to take
suction.
several deep breaths to ease passage of
2.
3.
Mouth care is given prior to specimen collection to
decrease contamination with oral bacteria and food
if specimen is obtained by expectoration.
It is optimal to schedule specimen collection prior to
breakfast.
i.
j.
catheter.
Apply suction for 5-10 seconds. Discontinue
suction and remove catheter.
Detach catheter from specimen trap. Holding
catheter in gloved hand, remove glove,
enclosing catheter, and dispose in impervious
4. Oxygen dependent patients should receive oxygen
bag.
before and after tracheal suctioning. k. Disconnect specimen container from suction
5. Specimen must be transported in appropriately
marked leak proof unbreakable container.
machine, leaving tubing attached to lid. Seal
container by looping tubing to other opening on
lid.
EQUIPMENT:
Impervious trash bag
l. Label container. Note on label any antibiotic
therapy patient is receiving or has recently
completed.
Sterile specimen container or in-line collection trap 4. Discard soiled supplies in appropriate containers.
Tissues
Basin
5. Transport specimen in an appropriate container.
Cup with mouthwash
AFTER CARE:
Suction catheter
1. Document in patient's record:
Sterile gloves
Flashlight
a.
b.
Time, date and delivery of specimen to
laboratory.
Color, consistency, and odor of sputum.
Tongue blade c. Method of specimen collection.
Normal saline
d. Patient’s response to procedure.
Gloves
Mask, goggles (optional)
Note: Tracheal suction kit will include sterile suction
catheter and gloves.
PROCEDURE:
1. Adhere to Universal Precautions.
2. Expectoration:
a. Explain procedure to patient.
b. Position patient in high-Fowler's position.
c. Have patient rinse mouth.
d. Instruct patient to breathe deeply, cough, and
expectorate into sterile container.
e. Cap and label container. Note on label any
antibiotic therapy patient is receiving or has
recently completed.
3. Tracheal suction:
a. Explain procedure to patient.
b. Check suction machine to be sure that it is
operating correctly.
c. Fill basin with normal saline.
d. Place patient in semi- to high-Fowler's position.
e. Connect in-line trap collection container to the
suction tubing.
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