Specimen Requirements

CDC recommends prenatal screening for vaginal and rectal Group B Streptococcal colonization at 35 to 37 weeks gestation.

Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

1. Do not use a speculum.
2. Sterile swabs of vaginal introitus and/or anorectum are collected.

3. When using sterile swab(s), follow instructions on swab packaging. In some instances, only 1 sterile swab is used to collect specimen. In these instances, discard remaining swab.
4. Label swab tube (not packaging) with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
2. Maximum storage of specimen is 24 hours refrigerated.