Lab Instructions

MHP Patient Instructions for Sputum Collection For Cytology

Sputum Specimens for cytology are sometimes ordered in groups of 2 to 3. Each specimen must be collected on a separate day. Do not collect one specimen right after another on a single day.

Specimen of choice: Sputum collected from the first coughs after getting out of bed in the morning.

Container: Collect the sputum in the container the MHP laboratory provided you.

Instructions for collection:

1. Remove dentures, if you have them.
2. Brush teeth, mouth and tongue well.
3. Rinse your mouth with water.
4. Cough deeply and spit into the container. Only material coughed up from deep in the lungs is useful. Material from the mouth, throat, or nose is not acceptable.
5. Replace lid tightly on the specimen container.
6. Name, date, and time must be written on each specimen container.
7. Refrigerate each specimen until you deliver it to MHP Laboratory.

Mercy Health Partners Laboratory
Customer Service: (231) 672-6259

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