Specimen Requirements

Specimen should arrive within 48 hours of collection.

1. Collect throat specimen using an aerobic culture transport swab. Do not submit nasopharyngeal specimens.
2. Remove cap and swab from tube.
3. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
4. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch oral mucosa or tongue.
5. If the patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
6. In 1 continuous motion:
A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
B. Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there.

C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
D. Swab behind uvula, and remove swab.
7. Return swab to sterile culture transport tube.

8. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
9. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note: Specimen source is required.