Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen must arrive within 2 hours of collection.

Cervical

1. Do not use lubricant on speculum.

2. Collect specimen using a culture swab.

3. Cervical mucus should be removed first before inserting swab into endocervical canal.

4. Move swab from side-to-side. Avoid touching swab to uninfected surface.

5. Return swab to transport tube.

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

7. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Urethral

1. Using a Mini-Tip culture swab^. collect discharge from penis 1 hour or more after urination. If discharge cannot be obtained by “milking” urethra, insert swab to obtain specimen from anteria urethra.

2. Insert swab 2 cm to 4 cm into urethra.

3. Rotate swab so that it comes into contact with all urethral surfaces. Leave swab inserted 2 to 3 seconds and remove.

4. Return swab to transport tube..

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

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

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Other Specimen Sources

1. Collect and transport specimen according to individual routine culture listings. It is preferable to inoculate cultures at bedside. Special media, transport supplies, and additional directions are available from the laboratory.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and actual time of collection, collector’s initials, and type of specimen.

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

Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.