Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

1. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor.

2. Sample posterior pharynx, tonsils, and inflamed areas with a sterile swab.

3. Place swab in 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. Throat swabs are contraindicated for patients with inflamed epiglottis.

2. Acceptability is 1 specimen per day.

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