Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Varies

Container/Tube: ESwab

Collection Instructions:

1. Carefully swab affected area.
2. Return swab to transport tube and break off end of shaft.
3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and specimen source.

Specimen Type: Nasal

Container/Tube: Dual-tipped Copan swab

Specimen Volume: Adequate amount

Collection Instructions:

1. Tilt patient’s head at a 70° angle.
2. Insert swab into nostril.
3. Rotate swab against inside of nostril for 3 seconds. Apply slight pressure with a finger on external nose to help assure good contact between swab and nasal mucosal surface.
4. Withdraw swab and insert same swab into other nostril, repeat procedure.
5. Return swab to transport tube.
6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

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 Slowly rotate swab as it is being withdrawn.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.