Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 24 hours of collection.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Acceptable Specimens:

Nasopharyngeal or Nasal swab in saline or Viral/Universal Transport media.

Nasopharyngeal

1. Aseptically collect nasopharyngeal swab by inserting swab into the posterior pharynx and hold there for 15 to 30 seconds.

2. After removal of swab, place swab into tube of 1 mL of saline or 1 mL of Viral/Universal Transport media and cut off top of swab with scissors or bend to fit into tube.

3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
4. Send specimen refrigerated.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: Specimen source is required.

Nasal Swab

1. Aseptically collect nasal swab by carefully inserting the swab into one of the nostrils. Using gentle rotation, push the swab less than 1 inch into the nostril. Rotate the swab 5 times against the nasal wall then remove. Repeat in the other nostril. 

2. After removal of swab, place swab into tube of 1 mL of saline or 1 mL of Viral/Universal Transport media and cut off top of swab with scissors or bend to fit into tube.

3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
4. Send specimen refrigerated.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: Specimen source is required.