Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type:  Nasal Swab

Collection Container/Tube:  Use the swabs provided in the test kit. Alternatively, rayon, foam, HydraFlock^® Flocked swab (standard tip), HydraFlock® Flocked swab (mini tip), Copan Standard Flocked swab, Copan Mini Tip Flocked swab can be used to collect nasal swab samples.

Not acceptable:  Puritan Purflock^® Standard Tip Ultra Flocked Swabs, Puritan PurFlock Mini Tip Ultra Flocked Swabs and Copan Standard Rayon Tip Swabs

Collection Instructions: 

1. To collect a nasal swab sample, carefully insert the swab into the nostril exhibiting the most visible drainage, or the nostril that is most congested if drainage is not visible. Using gentle rotation, push the swab until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates (less than one inch into the nostril). Rotate the swab several times against the nasal wall then slowly remove from the 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.

Specimen Type:  Nasopharyngeal Swab

Collection Container/Tube:  Use sterile rayon, foam, polyester or flocked flexible-shaft NP swabs.

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the swab into the nasopharynx, leave in place for a few seconds, and then slowly rotate the swab as it is being withdrawn.

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.