Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 30 minutes of collection.

Collect specimen as follows:

Cervix
1. Do not use a lubricant.
2. Remove mucus and/or secretions from cervix with swab(s). Discard swab(s).
3. Sample endocervical canal firmly yet gently, with a sterile 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. Specimens that have been refrigerated for ≥2 hours are not acceptable for culture.

Rectal
1. Insert a sterile swab approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) beyond anal sphincter.
2. Gently rotate swab to sample anal crypts.
3. Avoid fecal contamination as much as possible.
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. Specimens that have been refrigerated for ≥2 hours are not acceptable for culture.

Urethra
1. Insert a wire-shafted swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethral lumen.
2. Rotate swab and leave in place for at least 2 seconds.
3. Put 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. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. Specimens that have been refrigerated for ≥2 hours are not acceptable for culture.

Other sources
1. Sample site with sterile swab(s) or submit specimen in a sterile, leakproof container.

2. 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.

3. Label swab tube (not packaging)/container with patient’s information, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. Maximum storage of specimen is 24 hours at ambient temperature. Specimens that have been refrigerated for ≥2 hours are not acceptable for culture.