Specimen Requirements

Remember to label the specimen with the patient’s name, ID number and/or date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.

Submit one of the following:

Hologic Aptima Unisex Swab, Multitest Swab or Urine Specimen Collections

Endocervical swabs in Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit

1. The collection kit contains the following:
   • One unisex collection swab
   • One cleaning swab
   • One Aptima transport tube containing 2.9 mL of transport media
2. The collection kits are stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C) and are stable until the expiration date on the kit.  Do not use expired Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kits.
   Note: If the tube contents are spilled, discard the tube and obtain a new one.
3. Remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa using the cleaning swab (white swab in the package with the red printing). Discard this swab in a biohazard waste container.  If the swab contained in the package is not sufficient to remove excess mucus from the cervical os, a large tipped swab (not contained in the collection kit) may be used.
4. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) into the endocervical canal.
5. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 10 to 30 seconds in the endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling.
6. Withdraw the swab carefully while avoiding contact with the vaginal mucosa.
7. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
8. Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline and discard the top portion of the swab shaft.  Avoid splashing the contents of the tube when breaking the swab off into the tube.
9. Recap the tube tightly.
10. Label the specimen with the patient’s name, ID number and/or date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.

Male urethral swab specimens in Aptima Unisex Specimen Collection Kit

1. The patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to sample collection.
2. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) 2 to 4 cm into the urethra.
3. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 2 to 3 seconds in the urethra to ensure adequate sampling.
4. Withdraw the swab carefully.
5. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
6. Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline and discard the top portion of the swab shaft; use care to avoid splashing of contents.
7. Re-cap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.

Vaginal swabs in Aptima Multitest Specimen Collection Kit

1. Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
2. Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.
3. Carefully insert the swab into the vagina about 2 inches (5 cm) past the introitus and gently rotate the swab for 10 to 30 seconds. Make sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab and then withdraw the swab without touching the skin.
4. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
5. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.
6. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.
7. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
8. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.
9. Label the specimen with the patient’s name, ID number and/or date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.

Urine Specimens - the patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.  Direct patient to provide a first-catch urine of between 20 and 30 mL into a urine cup free of any preservatives. Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing the specimen.

1. Urine samples that are still in the primary collection container must be transported to the lab at 2°C to 30°C. Transfer the urine sample into the Aptima Urine Specimen Transport Tube within 24 hours of collection. Store at 2°C to 30°C and test within 30 days of collection.
2. The correct volume of urine has been added to the Aptima tube when the fluid level is between the black fill lines on the transport tube.
3. After collection, transport the processed urine specimens in the Aptima urine specimen transport tube at 2°C to 30°C and store at 2°C to 30°C until tested.

Rectal swabs in Multitest Specimen Collection Kit

1. Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
2. Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.
3. Carefully insert the swab into the rectum about 1-2 inches (3-5cm) past the anal margin and gently rotate the swab clockwise for 5 to 10 seconds. Withdraw the swab without touching the skin.
4. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use the new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
5. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.
6. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
7. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.

Throat swabs in Multitest Specimen Collection Kit

1. Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
2. Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.
3. Carefully insert the swab into the throat ensuring contact with bilateral tonsils (if present) and the posterior pharyngeal wall, then withdraw the swab without touching the inside of the cheeks or tongue.
4. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
5. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.
6. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.
7. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
8. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.