Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following specimen types:

Specimen Type: Throat swab

Container/Tube: Red, double copan culture swab

Specimen Volume: Adequate amount
Collection Instructions: ( Click here for diagram )

1. Obtain specimen using a red double copan culture swab.
2. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
3. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch oral mucosa or tongue.
4. In 1 continuous motion:

• Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
• Move to back of throat as far down as possible, and swab there. If the patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
• Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
• Swab behind uvula, and remove swab.

5. Transfer swab back to culture container. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.

6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Throat swab

Container/Tube: ESwab collection kit

Specimen Volume: Adequate amount

Collection Instructions:

1. Place the patient in a seated position facing the ​light.​
2. Instruct patient to open mouth as wide as possible. ​If needed, use tongue depressor to press the ​tongue downward to the floor of the mouth so that ​the throat can be seen.​
3. Rub the swab tip up and down the back of the ​throat, the tonsils, and against any white patches in the tonsillar area.​
4. Remove swab from the mouth.  Do NOT touch the tongue, cheeks, teeth, or gums with the swab.
5. Insert the swab into the ESwab transport media tube. Swirl the swab against the inside wall of ​the tube 3 times.
6. Break the swab shaft and leave the swab in the tube. Attach the cap securely.
7. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Rejection: 

• Cotton swabs
• Calcium alginate swabs
• Swabs with a wooden shaft
• Swabs not received within 48 hours