Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Acceptable Specimens:

Cervical, nasopharyngeal washing, spinal fluid, sputum, sterile fluid, urethral, vaginal, or wound

Body Fluid

Submit 0.5 mL of body fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.

Cervical

1. Collect specimen by inserting swab into cervix.

2. Place swab in sterile collection container.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.

Nasopharyngeal Washing

1. Aseptically collect specimen from nasopharyngeal washing and immediately place in a sterile collection container.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.

Spinal Fluid

Container/Tube: Sterile collection container

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL of spinal fluid

Transport Temperature: Ambient

Collection Instructions: Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.

Sputum

1. Aseptically collect sputum and immediately place in a sterile collection container.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.

Urethra

1. Collect specimen by inserting swab into urethra.

2. Place swab in sterile collection container.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.

Vaginal

1. Collect specimen by inserting swab into vagina.

2. Place swab in sterile collection container.

3. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.

Wound

1. Aseptically collect specimen from wound and immediately place in a sterile collection container.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), specimen source, and date and time of collection.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Aerobic or anaerobic swab is also acceptable.