Sputum Collection

Sputum is the mucous or phlegm coughed up from your lungs. It is not saliva or mucous from the back of the throat.

Sputum specimens are best if coughed up first thing in the morning, after you have been sleeping at night. You will normally be asked to produce one sputum sample each morning for three mornings in a row. You will have three jars in separate bags, one for each day.

How to collect the sputum:

1. Do not eat, drink, smoke or brush your teeth before collecting the sputum.
2. Go to an area away from other people before collecting the specimen. This measure helps to protect other people from being exposed to any germs when you cough.
3. Gargle with water to rinse out your mouth.
4. Take a few deep breaths through your mouth. Try and cough up mucous from deep in your chest. You may need to take several deep breaths and cough many times.
5. Open the jar and hold it close to your mouth. Spit the sputum into the jar, without getting any on the outside of the jar.
6. Screw the lid on tightly so that it does not leak.
7. Put the used jar into the bag it came in and seal the bag.
8. Put the specimen into the refrigerator until you can return the specimens to the clinic or office. The specimen must be returned within three days of collection.

Revised: 2014-02-24