Best Practice for sputum collection
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| Best
Practice Requirement |
Your
Current Practice |
Identify
gaps in your practice |
The body of the container is
clearly labelled, before it is used |
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Details should include the name/code
of health facility and the name of the patient,
the date the sample was received and whether
it is sample 1, 2 or 3 (this information may
vary but should beconsistent)
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| Best Practice
Requirement |
Your Current Practice |
Identify gaps
in your practice |
| The reason for collecting the
specimen is explained to the patient |
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| Each step is explained fully
and slowly, in language that the patient can
understand |
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| The patient is encouraged to
rinse their mouth with water, especially if
they have been eating food, before expectorating
into the Container |
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| The labelled container is given
to the patient |
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| The patient is
asked to be careful to direct the sputum into
the container to avoid contaminating the outside
for hygienic and safe handling |
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| The health-care worker demonstrates
a deep cough from the bottom of the chest, beginning
with deep breathing |
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| The health-care worker supervises
the collection, but without standing in front
of the person attempting to produce the sputum |
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| The lid on the container is
closed carefully and tightly |
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| The specimen is checked by
the health-care worker with the patient present
– if it is insufficient (e.g., saliva
only) the patient is asked to cough again and
add to it. |
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Prevention of transmission
|
| Best Practice
Requirement |
Your Current Practice |
Identify gaps
in your practice |
|
The health-care worker supervises
the collection, but without standing in front
of the person attempting to produce the sputum |
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The patient and the health-care
worker wash their hands with soap and water
after collecting the specimen |
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The specimen must be handled
carefully and the lid closed tightly |
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Ideally, there should a separate
well-ventilated area for sputum collection,
preferably outside the building, avoiding use
of the
toilets |
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Care should be taken during
the processing and disposal of the sputum specimen |
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Sputum
Storage
|
| Best Practice
Requirement |
Your Current Practice |
Identify gaps
in your practice |
|
The specimen is sent to the laboratory as
soon as possible after collection |
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The dates on which the specimen was collected
and on which it was sent to the laboratory are
recorded |
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If necessary, the patient is advised how
to store a sputum specimen safely at home to
prevent contamination, i.e., the lid is tightly
closed and the container is kept out of the
reach of children |
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Documentation
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|
Best Practice Requirement |
Your Current Practice |
Identify gaps
in your practice |
|
The specimen is categorised as pre-treatment
or follow-up |
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The sputum examination request form is completed
accurately and the reason for the request is
clearly marked, i.e., for diagnosis or follow-up,
indicating the month (usually month 2 or month
5) of treatment |
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The laboratory register is completed clearly
and accurately |
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Dates of the taking of specimens are entered
into the laboratory register, the TB register
and the patient’s treatment card as appropriate |
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Dates of results and the results themselves
are recorded promptly and accurately into the
laboratory register, the TB register and the
patient’s treatment card as appropriates |
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