Specimen Requirements

Specimen must arrive within 48
 

1. Obtain specimen using a E-swab.
2. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
3. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch oral mucosa or tongue.
4.If the patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
5. In 1 continuous motion:
A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
B. Move to back of throat as far down as possible, and swab there.
C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
D. Swab behind uvula, and remove swab.
6. Open the transport vial, place swab in vial, break swab at scoring mark.

A. Throw remaining swab shaft in appropriate recepticle.

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 at ambient temperature only.

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

Specimen is stable for 48 hours at refrigerated temperatures