Collection Instructions

Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal (NP)
Container/Tube: UTM Universal Transport Media (UTM) Kit with Mini-Swab [ITM1140078] or Saline Collection Kit

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS 

Collection Instructions:

• If possible, obtain specimen during the acute phase of the illness during the greatest amount of viral shedding.
• Tilt the head of the patient, gently insert the swab through one of the nostrils and into the nasal passage.
• Rotate the swab tip several times across the mucosal surface.
• Remove the swab and insert into the red top tube of viral transport medium (UTM) immediately.
• Push the swab into the tube and break the plastic shaft swab at the break line.
• Replace cap and screw on tightly.
• Label specimen with at least 2 patient identifiers (usually name and date of birth)
• Send to lab immediately
• Refrigerate if there will be a delay in reaching the laboratory.

Specimen Transport Temperature: Refrigerate or on ice (UTM)