Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Nasal swab, nasopharyngeal swab or nasal wash/aspirate

Testing is performed as specimens are received.  Specimen should be transported as soon as possible.  Always use proper infection control procedures when handling patient specimens.

Specimen must arrive within 4 hours of collection.  Maximum storage of specimen is 24 hours refrigerated. 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Nasopharyngeal Swab

1.  Insert a Dacron/rayon, foam or polyester nasopharyngeal swab beneath inferior turbinate of the nostril exhibiting the most visible drainage or is the most congested.  Gently rub and roll against mucosal surface.   (Calcium alginate swab is not recommended for use in this test.)

2.  Place swab into an empty swab transport tube.

3.  Label swab tube (not packaging) with the patient's information, date ande actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

4.  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Nasal Swab

1.  Insert rayon, foam polyester or HydraFlock flocked swab into the nostril exhibiting the most visible drainage or is the most congested. 

2.  Using gentle rotation, push the swab until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates (less than 1 inch into the nostril).  Rotate the swab several times against the nasal wall then slowly remove from the nostril.

3.  Place swab into an empty swab transport tube.

4.  Label swab tube (not packaging) with the patient's information, date ande actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

5.  Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Nasopharyngeal Washing

1.  Instruct patient not to swallow during procedure.

2.  Hyperextend patient's head (appoximately 70 degree angle).  Suction approximately 3 mL of sterile normal saline into a sterile bulb.

3.  Insert bulb into nostril.

4.  instill saline into nostril with 1 squeeze of the bulb and immediately release bulb to collect recoverable nasal washing.

5.  Empty bulb into sterile, leakproof container.

6.  Repeat the above steps on the other nostril.

7.  Label container with patient's information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen. 

8.  Forward specimen promptly.