Specimen Requirements

Submit the following specimen:

Specimen Type:  Nasopharyngeal Swab

Collection Container/Tube:  Use nylon flocked flexible-shaft NP swabs placed in Universal transport media, viral transport media (includes M4RT or M5) or eNAT Molecular Transport Medium

-Media should not contain guanidine thiocyanate (GTC)

-Specimen Volume: Entire specimen with 3 mL of transport media

Collection Instructions:

1. Carefully insert the swab into the nostril exhibiting the most visible drainage, or the nostril that is most congested if drainage is not visible. Pass the swab directly backwards without tipping the swab head up or down. The nasal passage runs parallel to the floor, not parallel to the bridge of the nose. Using gentle rotation, insert the swab into the anterior nare parallel to the palate advancing the swab into the nasopharynx, leave in place for a few seconds, and then slowly rotate the swab as it is being withdrawn.  Using the same swab, repeat sample collection in the other nostril.
2. Maintain sterility.
3. Label with patient's name, second unique identifier (e.g. medical record number or date of birth), date and time of collection.
4. Specimen source is required.
5. Should be placed in 3mL of Viral Transport Media for the assay as soon as possible.