Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Combined vaginal/rectal swab, or 1 distal vaginal swab and 1 anorectum swab

Combined Vaginal/Rectal Swab

Container/Tube:  Culture transport tube

Specimen:   Combined swab of vagina and rectum (or two separate swabs may be collected)

Collection Instructions:  Using 1 sterile culture swab, sample lower vagina followed by rectum (approximately one inch past the anal sphincter). Maintain sterility and transport to the lab as soon as possible after collection.  Specimen must be delivered to laboratory within 24 hours of collection.

Unacceptable Specimens:

Cervical

Perianal

Perirectal

Perineal

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.