Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection.

Cervix

1. Remove mucus and exudate from exocervix with a large swab. Discard swab.
2. Insert culture swab past squamocolumnar junction.

3. Rotate swab for 5 to 10 seconds using pressure to dislodge cells.

4. Withdraw swab without touching vaginal surfaces.

5. Return swab to transport tube.

6. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.

7. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Do not leave specimen unattended. Hand deliver to laboratory technician.

2. For children or hysterectomized patients where a cervical specimen is not indicated, a urethral or vaginal specimen may be substituted for a cervical specimen.

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

Rectum (Males)
1. Insert culture swab 3 cm into anal canal.

2. Move swab from side-to-side to sample crypts.
3. Withdraw swab. If swab is contaminated with feces, discard swab and recollect.
4. Return swab to transport tube.
5. Break off stem, and replace cap on transport tube.
6. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Do not leave specimen unattended. Hand deliver to laboratory technician.

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

Urethra (Males)
1. Patient should not urinate for at least 1 hour before specimen collection.
2. Express and discard any urethral discharge before collecting specimen.
3. Insert culture swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra.

4. Rotate swab using pressure to dislodge cells. Allow swab to remain in place for 2 to 3 seconds.
5. Withdraw swab.

6. Return swab to transport tube.
7. Break off stem, and replace cap on 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.

Note:  1. Do not leave specimen unattended. Hand deliver to laboratory technician.

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