Steps to Getting a Good Sputum Sample

Steps to Getting a Good Sputum Sample:

Go to the sputum collection

area you are directed to by the

study nurse. This area should be

outside or in a special area with

negative air ﬂow (meaning the air

ﬂows out of the room you are in).

Relax. Take a few deep breaths

while pressing your hand lightly on

your stomach. When it’s time to cough,

you should be inhaling so deeply that

you feel it in your stomach area.

Rinse and spit with water. This is important to make sure there won’t be mouth

bacteria in the sputum collected.

Get ready– Put one hand over your

mouth with a tissue and then put the other hand

back on your stomach.

Cough deeply, so that you can really

feel it in your stomach. Do not take shallow

coughs from the throat or chest.

Once the sputum (phlegm) is in your mouth,

release it into the container provided by the

study nurse.

Check– Give the sputum (phlegm) container to the study nurse to check for

quality. The study nurse should hold the container up to the light to make sure you

have provided a quality sample.

Repeat– On day 1, you need to produce two high

quality sputa for the study nurse. If either of the two sputa

are of low quality (too small or clear), according to the

study nurse:

1. You will be asked to try to produce a better sputum.

The study nurse will accompany you to the sputum

collection area and will coach you through steps 1-8.

2. If the sample is still too small or is clear, the study

nurse may assist you by patting you on the back (see

below). Stretching will also help (see below).

3. If the samples you provide are good, you are done for

the day, but you will need to come back to repeat these

steps the following day (day 2) as directed by the

study nurse.

If you are having trouble:

Get a pat! A study nurse may pat you

solidly up and down your back to help you

release the sputum.

Stretch and try again– sometimes it helps to relax a bit. When you are ready, rinse

and spit and try again!

CS241782

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention