Specimen Requirements

1. Obtain specimen using a culture transport swab.
2. Remove cap and swab from tube.
3. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening of mouth as wide as possible.
4. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab doesn’t touch oral mucosa or tongue.
5. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
6. In 1 continuous motion:

1. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
2. Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there.
3. Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
4. Swab behind uvula, and remove swab.

7. Return swab to sterile culture transport tube, and crush ampule to ensure specimen preservation.
8. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
9. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.