Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

1. Insert a swab premoistened with sterile saline 0.2 cm into nares.

2. Rotate swab against nasal mucosa.

3. Place swab into swab transport. 

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

Note:  1. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.