Sputum culture results can provide a reference for medical diagnosis and treatment. The sputum specimen collection success rate in our unit in September 2016 was only 42.1%. An analysis of the current situation through observation and by using a questionnaire survey indicated the following problems: (1) the collection process of the patient was incorrect; (2) the nurses' knowledge regarding sputum specimen collection was incorrect, so they provided incomplete guidance; (3) the steps for suction-based sputum collection, appearance-based sputum identification before inspection, and specimen re-collection rules were not clearly defined; and (4) the guidance tool was inconvenient and lacked applicability. Thus, to improve the success rate, we conducted an educational training program for the staff; revised sputum specimen collection regulations and procedures; created Chinese Mandarin, English, and Indian graphic instruction leaflets; developed a sputum collection slogan; created a sputum specimen identification card; and performed a sputum collection audit. Consequently, the success rate of sputum specimen collection increased to 80.5%. This project could aid in effectively establishing a clinical diagnosis, reducing expenses, and medical care quality.