Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Nasopharyngeal

Container/Tube: Nasopharynx swab collection kit:  BD Universal Viral Transport, M4RT Viral   Transport or Sterile Saline

Specimen Volume: Entire specimen

Collection Instructions:

1. Holding the swab horizontally, insert it into the base of the nare and passing it straight backward, rotating the swab as it passes into the nasopharynx.

2.  Place swab into the vial of BD Universal Viral Transport, M4RT Viral Transport or Sterile Saline and break off at score line, leaving the swab in the media and recap the vial.

3. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last) and date and time of collection

4. The specimen should be delivered immediately to the laboratory.

Additional Information: If there is a delay, the specimen may be stored refrigerated up to 7 days for the BD Universal Viral Transport and M4RT Viral Transport, 5 days for sterile saline.