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Sputum samples to UNC

Posted by woot @woot, Jul 1, 2022

Any experience with UNC lab for sputum samples? For years I sent them to NJ (Dr Huitt was my dr). Now I see Dr Daniels at Bronch/MAC Specialty Clinic in Chapel Hill. I know they don’t report details like number of colonies. But how important is that? Do you have any advice?
Linda

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woot | @woot | Jul 1, 2022

My apologies to all of you! I see I asked this exact same question a year ago and you answered all my questions then. Sorry to waste your time when I should have printed out all your advice last year and taped it to my bathroom mirror!🙄
Happy 4th of July weekend!

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1 reply
raney | @raney | Jul 1, 2022
In reply to @woot "My apologies to all of you! I see I asked this exact same question a year..." + (show)
@woot

My apologies to all of you! I see I asked this exact same question a year ago and you answered all my questions then. Sorry to waste your time when I should have printed out all your advice last year and taped it to my bathroom mirror!🙄
Happy 4th of July weekend!

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Will you direct me to your question from last year. I have the same question now. I sed Dr. Despotes at UNC-CH. I think she is in Peds clinic part of the time. I like UNC_CH Puilmo Specialty Clinic. because they are so good about responding to my questions, but this is one that I don't feel comfortable asking them.

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1 reply
woot | @woot | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @raney "Will you direct me to your question from last year. I have the same question now...." + (show)
@raney

Will you direct me to your question from last year. I have the same question now. I sed Dr. Despotes at UNC-CH. I think she is in Peds clinic part of the time. I like UNC_CH Puilmo Specialty Clinic. because they are so good about responding to my questions, but this is one that I don't feel comfortable asking them.

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I had a long discussion with Dr Daniels nurse yesterday about delivering samples. She said if I deliver sample (be sure it’s in one of the collection containers, kept in an ice pack in the drive to Chapel Hill and all the way to handing it over) take it to their 2nd floor office in the new medical building. They will courier the sample to the lab in the UNC hospital. I was going to do it yesterday but decided Friday on 4th of July weekend not the best time to deliver a sample. I’ll do it Tuesday, the 5th. Dr Daniels nurse said they are swamped at Mac/Bronch Clinic right now. If Dr Despotes is easy to reach, I’d stick with her for now. Let me know how it goes for you.
Linda

REPLY
1 reply
raney | @raney | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @woot "I had a long discussion with Dr Daniels nurse yesterday about delivering samples. She said if..." + (show)
@woot

I had a long discussion with Dr Daniels nurse yesterday about delivering samples. She said if I deliver sample (be sure it’s in one of the collection containers, kept in an ice pack in the drive to Chapel Hill and all the way to handing it over) take it to their 2nd floor office in the new medical building. They will courier the sample to the lab in the UNC hospital. I was going to do it yesterday but decided Friday on 4th of July weekend not the best time to deliver a sample. I’ll do it Tuesday, the 5th. Dr Daniels nurse said they are swamped at Mac/Bronch Clinic right now. If Dr Despotes is easy to reach, I’d stick with her for now. Let me know how it goes for you.
Linda

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Thank for your response, Dr. Despotes replies to my messages on the portal timely, but it is difficult to get an appointment with her. Scheduling months in advance. Therefore, I have a local pulmonologist that I see between 2 X a year visits with her. I make appointments with him 2 X a year also. (Trying for every 3 months). I did not know that the specimens would have to be hand delivered. I live in Wilmington, so I will continue to take them to the hospital lab here.

REPLY
1 reply
woot | @woot | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @raney "Thank for your response, Dr. Despotes replies to my messages on the portal timely, but it..." + (show)
@raney

Thank for your response, Dr. Despotes replies to my messages on the portal timely, but it is difficult to get an appointment with her. Scheduling months in advance. Therefore, I have a local pulmonologist that I see between 2 X a year visits with her. I make appointments with him 2 X a year also. (Trying for every 3 months). I did not know that the specimens would have to be hand delivered. I live in Wilmington, so I will continue to take them to the hospital lab here.

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Raney, ask Dr Despotes about sending samples. Many on this forum send theirs to National Jewish. As I understand it, your Wilmington hospital lab will not have the equipment to do the test properly, so taking sample there could be wasted effort.

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2 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @woot "Raney, ask Dr Despotes about sending samples. Many on this forum send theirs to National Jewish...." + (show)
@woot

Raney, ask Dr Despotes about sending samples. Many on this forum send theirs to National Jewish. As I understand it, your Wilmington hospital lab will not have the equipment to do the test properly, so taking sample there could be wasted effort.

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Most hospital & clinic labs have protocols for handling samples (blood, sputum, urine, etc) that they do not have the proper facilities, equipment or expertise to process. The sputum samples I provide to my local clinic lab are properly stabilized and prepared by them, then shipped to Mayo (previously they were sent to NJH, but the contract changed in 2022) for culturing. Perhaps that is what the Wilmington lab does? It seems @raney has been successfully using the process for a while.
Sue

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1 reply
raney | @raney | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @woot "Raney, ask Dr Despotes about sending samples. Many on this forum send theirs to National Jewish...." + (show)
@woot

Raney, ask Dr Despotes about sending samples. Many on this forum send theirs to National Jewish. As I understand it, your Wilmington hospital lab will not have the equipment to do the test properly, so taking sample there could be wasted effort.

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Thank you. I will ask her

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raney | @raney | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Most hospital & clinic labs have protocols for handling samples (blood, sputum, urine, etc) that they..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Most hospital & clinic labs have protocols for handling samples (blood, sputum, urine, etc) that they do not have the proper facilities, equipment or expertise to process. The sputum samples I provide to my local clinic lab are properly stabilized and prepared by them, then shipped to Mayo (previously they were sent to NJH, but the contract changed in 2022) for culturing. Perhaps that is what the Wilmington lab does? It seems @raney has been successfully using the process for a while.
Sue

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Sue, I believe the hospital here has the equipment to manage the sputum specs. My doctor at UNC-CH reviews the results of the ones done here and has never mentioned that there is a problem. I also see a local pulmonologist 2 routinely 2 times a year and the UNC-CH pulmonologist 2 times a year. But I will definitely ask the question prior to the next sputum spec.

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