Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: NP Swab, Bronchial Alveolar lavage fluid, Bronchial wash, sputum, or tracheal aspirate.

Container: SUBMIT ONLY 1 OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIMENS based on clinical presentation of symptoms

Collection:

Nasopharyngeal Swab

1. Obtain a vial of universal/viral transport medium (UTM) with collection swab from Missouri Baptist Medical Center Microbiology lab.
2. Collect specimen by inserting swab into nares, and into nasopharyngeal area.
3. Rotate swab to collect epithelial cells from nasopharyngeal area. Hold swab in place for 10-15 seconds to increase specimen collection. 
4. Place the swab in UTM vial, break off shaft of swab and discard excess piece of shaft. To prevent leaking, make sure the swabs do not interfere with tightening cap on vial.
5. Label transport container with 2 patient identifiers and date and time of collection.
6. Tightly cap the tube, place in a transport bag, and seal.
7. If transport time will exceed 4 hours, specimen should be transported with cold/ice pack

  Bronchial Alveolar Lavage (BAL), Bronch Wash, Sputum, or Tracheal Aspirate*

*These specimen types will go to BJH for testing.

1. Aseptically collect 1.0 mL of specimen.
2. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Label transport container with 2 patient identifiers and with date and time of collection.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
5. If transport time will exceed 4 hours, specimen should be transported with cold/ice pack.