Specimen Collection Guide – Skin

2-3 mm² skin, ship in a sterile container, containing sterile Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) (preferred) or sterile saline

Swab area with 70% alcohol and let dry completely. Aseptically excise a small piece of skin (2-3 mm²) and place it in a sterile vessel containing sterile HBSS (or less preferably, sterile saline). The specimen should be sent to the lab immediately. If unable to transport immediately, store at 4^oC and transport at room temperature (15-25^oC) within 24 hours.

Note: All specimens should contain at least two patient identifiers and a completed requisition.

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