Specimen Requirements

Submit only one of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Body fluids such as amniotic fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, pleural fluid, spinal fluid, synovial fluid, semen, etc.

Container/Tube:

                Preferred: Sterile container

                Acceptable: Universal Transport Media (UTM)

Collection Instructions:

• If less than 0.5 mL specimen is available, add specimen to UTM tube.
• Label specimen with at least 2 patient identifiers (usually name and date of birth).
• Indicate source.
• Send to lab as soon as possible at refrigerated temperature.

Specimen Type: Vaginal/cervical (female) or urethral (male) swabs

Container/Tube: 3-mL UTM/Swab set (UTM medium w/regular flocked swab)
Collection Instructions:

• Insert swab into the red top tube viral transport media.
• Push the swab into the tube and break the plastic shaft swab at teh break line.
• Replace cap and screw on tightly.
• Indicate source.
• Label specimen with at least 2 patient identifiers (usually name and date of birth)
• Send to lab as soon as possible, refrigerate or on ice.

Specimen Type: Urine
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Volume: 1 mL
Minimum volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:

• Screw cap on tightly.
• Label specimen with at least 2 patient identifiers (usually name and date of birth)
• Send to lab as soon as possible, refrigerate
• Urine collected in a gray top tube w/boric acid is an unacceptable specimen
• Detailed Instructions (link): Patient Collection Instructions
• Detailed Instructions (link): Urine Collection Guide for Staff

Specimen Type: Tissue

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Collection Instructions:

• Label specimen with at least 2 patient identifiers (usually name and date of birth).
• Indicate source.
• Send to lab as soon as possible at refrigerated temperature.