Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Cervix, Endocervix, or Vaginal
1. Do not use lubricant on speculum.
2. Cervical mucus should be removed first before inserting swab into endocervical canal.
3. Move swab from side to side. Avoid touching swab to uninfected surface.
4. Place swab in sterile Fisherbrand® transport tube with Stuart’s transport media to ensure specimen preservation.
5. Label tube with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  1. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions.”

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Rectal
1. Obtain culture of anorectum using a Fisherbrand® transport swab.
2. Return swab to sterile Fisherbrand® transport tube to ensure specimen preservation.
3. Label tube with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  1. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions.”

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Throat
1. Obtain specimen using a sterile swab.
2. Remove cap and swab from tube.
3. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
4. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch oral mucosa or tongue.
5. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
6. In 1 continuous motion:
A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
B. Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there.
C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
D. Swab behind uvula and remove swab.
7. Return swab to sterile Fisherbrand® transport tube to ensure specimen preservation.
8. Label tube with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
9. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  1. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions.”

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Urethra (Males Only)
1. Collect discharge specimen ≥1 hour after urination using a swab.
2. If no discharge is available, use a mini-tip swab and collect specimen from anterior urethra.
3. Insert mini-tip swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra.
4. Rotate swab so that it comes into contact with all urethral surfaces. Leave swab inserted 2 to 3 seconds before removing.
5. Place swab in sterile Fisherbrand® transport tube or BBL® tube with Stuart’s transport media to ensure specimen preservation.
6. Label tube with patient’s full name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if available), date and time of collection, location of patient, and type of specimen.
7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  1. See “Microbiology” in “Special Instructions.”

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.