Specimen Requirements

For outpatient draw sites call RMH customer service at 614-566-5236 to request a Collection Kit and specific specimen collection instructions. 

Kits are available in all system hospital laboratories and are refrigerated contact individual areas.

ChildLab will accept Naspharyngeal specimens in transported in M4, M5,  ESWAB, UTM and NP specimens in a sterile container that has been collected by a NON-cotton tipped swab.   BALs and tracheal aspirates are acceptable in any sterile container.

1. Collect 1 posterior nasopharyngeal (NP) swab specimen using rayon swabs with shaft in the provided collection kit. Throat, nose or nasal aspirate/wash specimen is not acceptable.

2. Return swabs to media transport tube provided in collection kit. Snap off swab so swab tips fit into tube (no part of swab should remain above top of tube).Cap tube securely.
3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

Note:  1. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

2. The following specimens may be inhibitory to PCR testing and will be rejected:

A. Calcium alginate swab

B. Cotton-tipped swab

C. Swab sent in gel transport medium

D. Swab submitted in Regan Lowe media (Charcoal) - can be reordered as MISC and sent to Mayo