ABSTRACT
Specimens Some specimens (e.g. blood cultures) are normally sterile, and are collected using an aseptic technique, but most specimens are taken from nonsterile sites, or collected in a nonaseptic manner (e.g. throat swabs, urine), producing mixed cultures of potential pathogens, normal flora and contaminants. Specimens should be collected before starting antibiotic therapy. They must be correctly labelled and accompanied by relevant clinical information.
