Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

1. Insert a wire-shafted swab into posterior nasopharynx through nostril.
2. Rotate swab slowly for 5 seconds.
3. Place swab into an empty swab transport tube.
4. Label swab tube (not packaging) with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Forward specimen promptly.

Note:  Maximum storage of specimen is 24 hours refrigerated. Overnight refrigeration of specimen is not recommended since some of the fastidious organisms that can cause these infections may become non-viable (this will be noted in the report).