Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen must be collected with Hologic® APTIMA® Collection Kit supplied by the MaineGeneral Medical Center Laboratory.

1.  Only swab contained in Hologic® APTIMA® Collection Kit may be used to collect specimen. 

2.  Swab must be transported to laboratory in Hologic® transport medium.

Collect swab specimen as follows:

Endocervix (Females Only)

1. Remove excess mucus from cervical os and surrounding mucosa using cleaning swab (white shaft swab in package). Discard swab.

2. Insert specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab) into endocervical canal.

3. Gently rotate swab clockwise for 10 to 30 seconds in endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling.

4. Withdraw swab carefully; avoid any contact with vaginal wall or mucosa.

5. Remove cap from swab specimen transport tube; immediately place specimen collection swab into transport tube.

6. Carefully break swab shaft at score line; avoid splashing of contents. Screw cap on securely.

7. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, collector’s initials, and specimen source.

Note:  1. Specimen is stable for up to 7 days at ambient or refrigerated temperature.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Urethra (Males Only)

1. Patient should be instructed not to urinate for 1 hour prior to sampling.

2. With a rotating movement insert swab from collection kit (blue shaft swab) 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra. Do not substitute other swabs.

3. Once inserted, rotate swab gently 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 3 seconds in urethra to ensure adequate sampling and withdraw swab carefully.

4. Remove cap from swab specimen transport tube; immediately place specimen collection swab into transport tube.

5. Carefully break swab shaft at score line; avoid splashing of contents. Screw cap on securely.

6. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, collector’s initials, and specimen source.

Note:  1. Specimen is stable for up to 7 days at ambient or refrigerated temperature.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Vaginal (Females Only)    The vaginal collection can be done by the patient (self-collection) following these same instructions. The self collection MUST be done at the provider office. Collection devices are not to be given to patient to take home.

Note: Hologic® APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit must be used for vaginal specimens.

1. Partially peel open swab package. Do not touch soft tip or lay swab down. If soft tip is touched, swab laid down, or swab is dropped, use a new Hologic® APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

2. Remove swab, and hold, placing thumb and forefinger in middle of swab shaft.

3. Carefully insert swab into vagina about 2 inches past introitus and gently rotate swab for 10 to 30 seconds to ensure adequate sampling.

4. Withdraw swab without touching skin.

5. While holding swab in same hand, unscrew cap from tube. Do not spill contents of tube. If contents of tube spill, use a new Hologic® APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

6. Immediately place swab in transport tube so that tip of swab is visible below tube label.

7. Carefully break swab shaft against side of tube. Do not spill contents of tube. If contents of tube spill, use a new Hologic® APTIMA® Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection Kit. Screw cap on securely.

8. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, collector’s initials, and specimen source.

Note:  1. Specimen is stable for up to 7 days at ambient or refrigerated temperature.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Urine (Dirty collection)

Collect specimen as follows:

1. Patient should be instructed not to urinate for at least 1 hour prior to sampling.

2. Patient should collect first portion of a voided urine (first part of stream-not midstream [20-30 mL]) into a screw-capped, sterile, plastic, preservative-free specimen collection container.

Note:  Collection of larger volumes of urine may result in specimen dilution that may reduce test sensitivity.

3. Female patients should not cleanse labial area prior to specimen collection.

4. Remove cap and transfer 2 mL of urine into urine specimen transport tube using disposable pipette provided. Correct volume of urine has been added when fluid level is between black fill lines on urine transport tube label.

5. Screw cap on securely.

6. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, collector’s initials, and specimen source.

Note:  1. Specimen is stable for up to 7 days at ambient or refrigerated temperature.

2. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.