Specimen Requirements

Saline tubes must be delivered to the laboratory immediately.  Blue top swabs are good for 24 hours.

1. Collect specimen 1 hour after patient has urinated.

2. Wipe away excessive amount of secretion or discharge.

3. Obtain secretion from mucosal membrane of vaginal vault with a sterile swab or sterile pipette.

4. Place swab into transport medium(blue top swab) or a 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.