Sputum Collection Process

Presumptive TB patients attending the TB Diagnostic centre (TDC) will be referred for sputum examination at the same facility. The patients are given the sputum container with laboratory serial number written on its side. The patient is:

Figure: Sputum Collection Process

• Provided with the labelled sputum cups and demonstrated how to open and close the container.
• Given a labelled container with instructions to cough out sputum into the container early in the morning after rinsing the mouth with water. This is the early morning specimen. This is labelled as Specimen ‘b’.
• Ensure collection of sputum samples in an open, well-ventilated area designated for this purpose.
• Given a sputum container with instructions to collect an early morning specimen and go with the sputum specimen to the TDC(if the health facility is not a TDC) where the spot specimen can be collected. If the patient cannot travel to the TDC, then the spot specimen could be collected at the nearest health facility or sputum collection centre and transported to the TDC.

Video: Process of sputum collection 

Resources:

• Technical and Operational Guidelines for TB Control in India 2016