Specimen Requirements

Nasopharyngeal

Container: Universal Transport Media

Specimen Collection:

1. Use a sterile flexible minitip flocked swab with a synthetic tip (e.g. Dacron, nylon, or rayon) and an aluminum or plastic shaft.
2. Instruct patient to blow their nose. 
3. Tilt patient's head back at a 70 degree angle.
4. Insert swab into one nostril straight back and continue along the floor of the nasal passage for several cenitmeters until reaching nasopharynx.
5. Rotate swab gently for 5-10 seconds to loosen epithelial cells.
6. Remove swab and immediately insert into Universal Transport Media. Break swab shaft and leave swab in the tube. 

Alternate Specimens: Polyester or cotton swabs in M4 media.