Sorry I missed the first question. Doing this on my phone in a car. I don't know whether you can send a sample without the doctor's order. But most likely the one you do in clinic is sent out anyways. Only a very limited number of labs grow sputum cultures. And sampling error can and does happen with any lab. That
is why you submit 2 or 3 separate samples each time.
Blood cultures are not cheap and I'm sure insurance won't pay without a doctor's order.
I hope this helps ease your mind
Sue