@fdixon63 You can definitely have your sputum samples sent to NJH for species ID and I would just advocate for yourself since it's important to know what is happening in your lungs/sputum.

Go to njlabs.org or call them to understand the process for sending samples and which tests you would want to have done. Their number is 800.550.6227. If doing it on your own, I know there is a form you have to fill out but they can walk you through that.

I know at NYU they send all of my sputum samples to NJH for testing so it's not unreasonable to expect something like that so definitely push for either sending your samples to Mayo or NJH.