Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Aspirate

1. Nasopharyngeal aspirate suspended in sterile saline.

2. Instill a few drops of sterile saline into nostril to be suctioned.

3. Insert flexible plastic tubing along nostril floor, parallel to palate.

4. Aspirate secretions while removing tubing and place in a screw-capped, sterile container.

5. Repeat for other nostril if inadequate secretions were obtained.

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

7. Send specimen refrigerated. 

8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. A negative test result may occur if the level of antigen in a specimen is below the detection limit of the test or if the specimen was collected improperly.

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

Swab

1. Obtain specimen using a nasopharyngeal swab.

2. Remove cap with swab attached. Holding swab between thumb and forefinger of 1 hand and sheath in other hand, give soft wire a 10° to 20° bend. This slight curve fits nose better, making procedure more comfortable for patient.

3. Slide swab along floor of nose (hand down by patient’s chin to start swab) with very light pressure to nasopharyngeal wall.

4. Rotate swab and remove along floor of nose.

5. Return swab to tube to ensure specimen preservation.

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

7. Send specimen refrigerated.

8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. A negative test result may occur if the level of antigen in a specimen is below the detection limit of the test or if the specimen was collected improperly.

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

Washing

1. Submit 1 mL of nasopharyngeal washing in a screw-capped, sterile container.

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

3. Send specimen refrigerated.

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Excessive saline volume may result in a false-negative result due to dilution effect.

2. A negative test result may occur if the level of antigen in a specimen is below the detection limit of the test or if the specimen was collected improperly.

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