Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Deep Wound
1. Prepare site, wash wound margins well with antiseptic soap, and rinse with sterile saline. Remove surface exudate, debris, and pus.
2. Collect specimen using dual-tipped Copan swab.
3. Pass swab deep into abscess, and sample lesion’s advancing edge taking care to avoid contamination with other normal flora.
4. Return swab to transport tube (liquid Stuart Media).
5. Label tube 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:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. The first swab will be used for PCR testing and the second swab will be used for subsequent testing, if requested.

Superficial Wound
1. Prepare site, wash wound margins well with antiseptic soap, and rinse with sterile saline.
2. Collect specimen using dual-tipped Copan swab.

3. Break surface of wound and swab exudate.
4. Return swab to transport tube (liquid Stuart Media).
5. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. The first swab will be used for PCR testing and the second swab will be used for subsequent testing, if requested.