A closed specimen collection system (10; 300), comprising: a collection tube (42; 304), said collection tube having a proximal end (46; 308) and a distal end (50; 312) and having a shaped nozzle (38; 316) at said proximal end; said shaped nozzle being adapted to fit sealably into a port (14; 320) connected to a centrally inserted venal catheter (30; 324); a protective cover (54; 328), said cover being attached to said collection tube adjacent said proximal end (46; 308), said cover having a hollow interior and extending outwardly from a base of said shaped nozzle a first predetermined distance; said cover having an internal, female thread, said female thread mating to a male thread on said port; a specimen container (70; 352), said container having a hollow body (74; 356), a front end (78; 360) and aback end (82; 364); said front end having an aperture (86; 368), said aperture being sized and shaped to attach to said distal end (50; 312) of said collection tube, and a rotating lid (102; 396), said lid sealing said aperture (86; 368) after removal of said distal end of said collection tube; a latching mechanism (106; 400), said latching mechanism controlling rotation of said lid (102; 396); a piston (90; 372), said piston fitting closely within said hollow body (74; 356) and being attached to an actuating rod (94; 376); and whereby, when said port (14; 320) is connected to said collection tube (42; 304), said collection tube is connected to said specimen container (70; 352) and said actuating rod (94; 376) is moved away from said front end (78; 360) of said container, blood will flow into said specimen container in a sterile condition. a collection tube (42; 304), said collection tube having a proximal end (46; 308) and a distal end (50; 312) and having a shaped nozzle (38; 316) at said proximal end; said shaped nozzle being adapted to fit sealably into a port (14; 320) connected to a centrally inserted venal catheter (30; 324); a protective cover (54; 328), said cover being attached to said collection tube adjacent said proximal end (46; 308), said cover having a hollow interior and extending outwardly from a base of said shaped nozzle a first predetermined distance; said cover having an internal, female thread, said female thread mating to a male thread on said port; a specimen container (70; 352), said container having a hollow body (74; 356), a front end (78; 360) and aback end (82; 364); said front end having an aperture (86; 368), said aperture being sized and shaped to attach to said distal end (50; 312) of said collection tube, and a rotating lid (102; 396), said lid sealing said aperture (86; 368) after removal of said distal end of said collection tube; a latching mechanism (106; 400), said latching mechanism controlling rotation of said lid (102; 396); a piston (90; 372), said piston fitting closely within said hollow body (74; 356) and being attached to an actuating rod (94; 376); and whereby, when said port (14; 320) is connected to said collection tube (42; 304), said collection tube is connected to said specimen container (70; 352) and said actuating rod (94; 376) is moved away from said front end (78; 360) of said container, blood will flow into said specimen container in a sterile condition.