Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal swab

Collection Container/Tube: NP swab in Viral Transport Media

Specimen Volume: Entire recovered specimen
Collection Instructions:

1. Tilt patient’s head at a 70° angle
2. Holding swab between thumb and forefinger of 1 hand and sheath in other hand, give soft wire a 10° to 20°bend.
3. Press swab tip on mucosal surface of mid-inferior portion of inferior turbinate, and rub swab tip several times across mucosal surface to  loosen and collect cellular material.
4. Slowly rotate swab as it is being withdrawn.  Repeat procedure for second nostril (same swab).
5. Return swab to viral transport media tube. Label tube with patient’s name, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.  
6. Place specimen in biohazard bag and seal tightly. 

Specimen Rejection: 

1. Cotton swabs
2. Calcuim alginate swabs
3. Swabs with a wooden shaft