Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: 

Nasopharyngeal swab:

1. Tilt the patient’s head back 70 degrees. Insert the flocked swab through the nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered and the swab reaches a depth equal to the distance from the nostrils to the outer opening of the ear.
2. Rotate the flocked swab 2-3 times and hold the swab in place for 5-10 seconds to ensure maximum absorbency. Specimens can be collected from both sides using the same swab, but it is not necessary to collect specimens from both sides if the minitip is saturated with fluid from the first collection.
3. Put the swab in the viral transport media and break the shaft at the designated breakpoint. Tightly close the lid.

 
Nasopharyngeal aspirate:

1. Discard liquid from 0.9% NaCl syringe, leaving 1 mL in the syringe.
2. Measure length of butterfly tubing needed by holding next to nose with ends at top and bottom of nose.
3. Cut butterfly tubing, discard needle end in sharps container.
4. Attach tubing to the syringe.
5. Recline patient to a 45* angle; insert tubing.
6. Quickly instill the 1 mL of saline and then aspirate back into syringe.
7. Transfer aspirate into viral transport media (wash media in and out of syringe to instill maximum specimen).
8. Tightly close lid.

Specimen Transport: Immediate