Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Cervix, conjunctiva, pharyngeal, rectal, urethra, and uterine

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Cervix

Container/Tube:  Culture transport swab

Specimen:  Swab of cervix

Transport Temperature:  Ambient - Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  1. Do not use lubricant during collection procedure.

2. Remove mucous prior to collection of specimen.

3. Rotate culture swab deeply into endocervical canal.

4. Return swab to transport tube.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Conjunctiva

Container/Tube:  Culture transport swab

Specimen:  Swab of conjunctiva

Transport Temperature:  Ambient - Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  1. Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic.

2. Gently remove makeup and ointment with sterile cotton and saline.

3. Collect specimen by swabbing; pass swab 2 times over lower conjunctiva. Avoid eyelid border and lashes.
4. Return swab to transport tube.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Pharyngeal

Container/Tube:  Culture transport swab

Specimen:  Swab of pharyngeal

Transport Temperature:  Ambient - Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  1. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
2. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab does not touch oral mucosa or tongue.

3. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.

4. 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. Return swab to transport tube.

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note: Label tube with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Rectal

Container/Tube:  Culture transport swab

Specimen:  Swab of rectum

Transport Temperature:  Ambient -   Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  1. Pass swab beyond anal sphincter.
2. Rotate swab and withdraw.
3. Return swab to transport tube.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Urethra

Container/Tube:  Mini-Tip CULTURETTE^TM  swab

Specimen:  Swab of urethra

Transport Temperature:  Ambient - Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  1. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.
2. Insert swab from collection kit 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra.
3. Once inserted, gently rotate swab at least 1 full rotation using sufficient pressure to ensure swab comes into contact with all urethral surfaces. Allow swab to remain inserted for 2 to 5 seconds.
4. Withdraw swab.
5. Insert 1 swab (collection swab only) into transport tube.
6. Snap off shaft at score line or cut shaft to fit tube.
7. Cap collection vial tightly.
8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note: Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

Uterine

Container/Tube:  Culture transport swab

Specimen:  Swab of uterus

Transport Temperature:  Ambient - Do not place on wet ice or refrigerate.

Collection Instructions:  Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Note:  Label container with patient’s full name and 1 additional unique patient identifier such as date of birth, medical record number, emergency ID number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.