Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Nasopharyngeal Wash

1. Aspirate approximately 4 mL of sterile saline into a 1 oz tapered rubber bulb.

2. Tip patient’s head back approximately 70°, and insert bulb into nostril until it is occluded.

3. Squeeze bulb to dispense saline, hold for a few seconds, and then release to collect secretions.

4. Dispense specimen into viral transport media or saline tube.

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

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Alternate

Nasopharyngeal Aspirate

1. Attach a sterile suction catheter to a mucous trap, and introduce end of catheter into nasopharynx until resistance is encountered.

2. Withdraw catheter 1 cm to 2 cm, and apply suction to aspirate sample.

3. Dispense at least 1 mL of aspirate into viral transport media or saline tube.

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

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Nasopharyngeal Swab

1. Gently insert a sterile, rayon tipped swab into nasopharyngeal cavity to point of resistance.

2. Rotate swab slowly for 5 seconds to absorb secretions.

3. Remove swab, and place into viral transport media or sterile saline.

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:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.