Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
 
Preferred:  Nasopharyngeal Swab

Container/Tube: Nasopharyngeal swab (Mini-Tip CULTURETTE®) placed in M4 or Universal Transport Media -Throat swab or calcium alginate or cotton-tipped swab is not acceptable.

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Remove cap with swab attached. Holding swab between thumb and forefinger of 1 hand and sheath in other hand, give soft wire a 10° to 20° bend. This slight curve fits nose better, making procedure more comfortable for patient.
2. Slide swab along floor of the nose (hand down by patient’s chin to start swab) with very light pressure to nasopharyngeal wall.
3. Rotate swab and remove along floor of nose.
4. Return swab to M4 or Universal Transport Media to preserve specimen.
5. Label container with patient’s legal name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: Specimen source is required.

Alternate:  Nasal Wash

Specimen should arrive as soon as possible after collection.
 

Container/Tube: Sterile vial(s)
Specimen Volume: >1 mL of wash material placed in M4 or Universal Transport Media - Anterior nares swab or excessively bloody specimen is not acceptable.

Collection Instructions:

1. Immobilize patient in papoose board or wrap, or ensure sufficient help to hold patient.
2. Lavage selected nare with 1 mL to 3 mL of saline.
3. Gently aspirate nare using a mucous trap with suction. Collect wash material in trap vial and place in M4 or Universal Transport Media.
4. Label vial with patient’s legal name, date, actual time of collection, and type of specimen.  

Note: Specimen source is required.