Specimen Requirements

Container Type: Sterile cup
Specimen Type: Intravascular catheter tip
Patient Prep: Clean surrounding skin with 70% alcohol prior to catheter removal.
Collection Procedure: Using aseptic technique, hold the exposed end of the catheter and carefully remove it from the patient with a sterile instrument. Avoid contact with exposed skin. Once removed, hold the distal end of the catheter over a sterile container and cut the tip with sterile scissors so that the last 2 to 3 inches of the catheter drops into the container.
Store and Transport: Ambient (room temperature)
Stability: Room Temp 1 day.  Do not refrigerate or freeze specimen.
Unacceptable Condition: This test code should not be used for Foley catheter tips. IV cath tips should not be placed in saline or transport medium.