Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: 1. Both nostrils will be sampled using a dual swab collection device. 2. The patient should not have used Vaseline of any other nasal lubricant prior to the collection of the nasal culture.

Specimen Collection and Handling: 1. Wash hands with soap and water prior to the collection of the nasal culture. 2. Don clean gloves 3. Open the sterile dual swab collection device by peeling back the outer packaging. 4. Remove the plastic transport tube. Twist off the tube cap and discard it. 5. Carefully remove the swabs with cap attachment from the outer packaging, making sure to not touch the end of the swabs to any surface. Note: The swabs should stay attached to the cap attachment at all times. 6. Ask the patient to tilt their head back. 7. Insert the swabs into a nostril. Insert only the white swab tips into the nostril and not any further in (approximately 1-2 cm into the nostril.) Avoid touching the outside of the nostril with the culture swabs. 8. Rotate the swabs against the inside of the nostril for three seconds- slight pressure with a finger on the outside of the nose helps to assure good contact between the swabs and the inside of the nostril. 9. Using the same swabs, repeat for the second nostril, trying not to touch anything but the inside of the nostril. 10. Return the swabs to the plastic transport tube and make sure the cap is on tight. 11. Remove gloves and wash hands thoroughly. 12. Label the plastic transport tube with at least two patient identifiers. (name, medical record number, date of birth.) 13. Transport the swab collection device and requisition in a plastic transport bag at room temperature to the laboratory.