Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens

Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit

Aptima Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit

Endocervical swab specimen

1. Remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa using the cleaning swab (white shaft swab in the package with red printing).  Discard this swab. Note: to remove excess mucus from the cervical os, a large-tipped swab (not provided) may be used.
2. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) into the endocervical canal.
3. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 10 to 30 seconds in the endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling.
4. Withdraw the swab carefully; avoid any contact with the vaginal mucosa.
5. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
6. Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the score line and discard the top portion of the swab shaft; use care to avoid splashing of contents.
7. Re-cap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.
8. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of actual collection and type of specimen.

Male urethral swab specimen

1. The patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to collection.
2. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) 2-4 cm into the urethra.
3. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 2-3 seconds in the urethra in ensure adequate sampling.
4. Withdraw the swab carefully.
5. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
6. Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the score line and discard the top portion of the swab shaft; use care to avoid splashing of contents.
7. Re-cap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.
8. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of actual collection and type of specimen.

Aptima Vaginal Swab Specimen Collection

1. Carefully insert the swab into the vagina about 2 inches (5 cm) past the introitus and gently rotate the swab for 10-30 seconds.  Make sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab and then withdraw the swab without touching the skin.
2. Remove the cap from the swab transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube.
3. Carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the score line and discard the top portion of the swab shaft; use care to avoid splashing of contents.
4. Re-cap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.
5. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of actual collection.

Aptima Urine Collection

1. Patient should not have urinated for at least 1 hour prior to specimen collection.
2. Direct patient to provide first-catch urine (approximately 20 to 30 ml of initial urine stream) into urine collection cup free of any preservatives.  Collections of larger volumes of urine may result in specimen dilution that may reduce test sensitivity. Female patients should not cleanse labial area prior to providing specimen.
3. Urine samples still in primary collection container must be transported to the lab between 2⁰C to 30 ⁰C. Within 24 hours of collection.
4. If urine specimen transport tube is available, remove the cap and transfer 2 ml of urine into the urine specimen transport tube using the disposable pipette provided.  The correct volume of urine has been added when the fluid level is between the black fill lines on urine specimen transport tube label.
5. Re-cap urine specimen transport tube tightly. 
6. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of actual collection.

Monolayer (Thin Prep^TM)

       1. Patient should avoid douches 48 to 72 hours prior to collection.

       2. Vaginal lubricant should not be used prior to obtaining specimen.

       3. sample entire extocervix and endocervix with special emphasis on squamocolumnar junction 

          (transformation zone) using a broom-type sampling cytobrush and /or non-wooden spatula

          (Cotton swab is not acceptable).

       4. Immerse specimen in PreservCyt^TM solution and rise cells immediately by pushing bristle of broom against

           sides and bottom of ThinPrep vial several times

       5. Remove and discard collection device.

       6. Securely cap ThinPrep^TM vial.

       7. Label vial with patient's name (first and last, date of birth, and type of specimen.

       8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature

Rectal Swab Specimens Collection and Handling

1. Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

 2. Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.

 3. Carefully insert the swab into the rectum about 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) past the anal margin and gently rotate the swab for 5 to 10 seconds. Withdraw the swab without touching the skin,

4. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

 5. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.

 6. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.

7. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.

8. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube

9. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of actual collection and type of specimen.

Oral / Throat Swab Specimens Collection and Handling

1. Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

 2. Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.

 3. Carefully insert the swab into the throat ensuring contact with bilateral tonsils (if present) and the posterior pharyngeal wall, then withdraw the swab without touching the inside of the cheeks or tongue.

4. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

5. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.

6. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.

 7. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.

 8. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.

9. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of actual collection and type of specimen.

Eye Swab Specimen Collection and Handling

1. Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic.

2. Gently remove makeup and ointment with sterile cotton and saline.

3. Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

 4. Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.

5. Collect the specimen using the swab provided in the Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit. Pass swab 2 times over lower conjunctiva.  Avoid eyelid border and lashes (culture these separately in a similar fashion, if indicated). Be sure not to touch below the breakpoint line to avoid contamination.

4. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.

5. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.

6. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.

 7. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.

 8. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.

9. Label transport tube with patient’s name (first and last), date and time of actual collection and type of specimen.