N/A
Wound swab
Fine needle aspirate
Sample most viable within 2 days of collection, samples received 3-5 days after collection will include a note, anything after 5 days will be rejected
Keep samples at room temp or in fridge
Preliminary report sent same day sample is received by lab
Negatives are reported same day as receipt in lab
Positives are reported up to 3 days later, depending on what pathogens are detected in the sample