Sputum

Instruct patient to expectorate into a widemouth collection container partially filled with CytoLyt® fixative.  Morning specimens resulting from the overnight accumulation of secretion yield the best diagnostic results. Fresh, deep cough, early morning specimens are collected prior to eating, drinking, or brushing teeth. Cough deep from the lungs and spit the mucoid material into the container. Continue coughing until an adequate sample is produced, then cap the container tightly. Three specimens on three successive days should be collected to ensure maximum of diagnostic accuracy. THE PATIENT MUST BE CAREFULLY INSTRUCTED NOT TO SPIT INTO THE FIXATIVE WITHOUT A DEEP COUGH SINCE SALIVA IS OF NO DIAGNOSTIC VALUE.