Specimen Requirements

1. Obtain specimen from infected site.
2. Insert culture swab into vagina or swab endocervix.
3. Return swab to sterile culture transport container.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), hospital identification number or date of birth, date and time of collection, and source of specimen.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

6. Causes for rejection:

A. Inadequately labeled specimen
B. Improper container

C. Insufficient specimen volume
Note: 1. Specimen source is required.

2. Whenever possible, bacteriological examinations should be carried out before antibiotic therapy is instituted.

3. Test not performed on pre-pubescent females.