NOTE: The following collection instructions are from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s internet site.  Packaging information is from the CDC internet site.  Personal Protective Equipment and Precautions required are not addressed in these instructions. Sinai’s safety precautions should be strictly adhered to during collection and packaging of any sample considered to contain a bioterrorist associated organism or agent.

Collection

Laboratory Confirmation of diagnosis should be performed by the State Department of Health (DOH) Public Health Laboratory

• Appropriate clinical samples for testing at DOH include: blood (most important); pleural fluid and CSF may be helpful
  
• Transport and packaging of clinical specimens must be coordinated with local and Statehealth departments
  
• DOH has the capacity to report some preliminary results within 2 to 4 hours

http://bioterrorism.dhmh.state.md.us/pg2_anthrax.htm accessed July 10, 2003.