Additional Specimen Collection Information

The specimen should be collected as soon as possible after the
clinical onset of disease. Highest viral titers are present during
the acute illness. Nasal collection kit supplies are distributed by
the hospital laboratory sites. Specimens in UTM tubes can be
stored for up to 72 hours stored at 2-8°c. If there is a delay
in testing, freeze the
specimens.           

 

Hospital
Patients:

Nasal pharyngeal swab specimen:

1. Collect the specimen using the Copan Floq Swab in the
   collection kit.
2. Each swab has a label indicating “Flu PCR Nasal
   Pharyngeal Swab”.
3. Transport the specimen to the lab as soon as possible.
4. If there is a delay longer than 15 minutes in transporting the
   specimen to the lab, refrigerate the specimen and then transport on
   a cold pack or wet ice within one hour of collection.
5. Remove the cap from the UTM tube.
6. Insert swab into the utm tube.
7. Break the swab shaft by bending it against the tube wall.
8. Replace cap and close tightly.
9. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers (patient
   ID number, DOB, etc.) include specimen source, date and
   time of collection.

Outpatients:

Clients unable to transport nasal
pharyngeal swab specimens to the laboratory within one hour of
collection are supplied with the entire nasal collection kit.

1. Collect nasal pharyngeal specimen.
2. Remove cap from the UTM and insert the swab.
3. Break the swab shaft by bending it against the tube wall.
4. Replace the cap and close the tube tightly.
5. Label the specimen appropriately with two identifiers, patient
   name and another identifier, (patient ID number, DOB, etc.) include
   date and time of collection and initals of person collecting the
   specimen.
6. Transport the tube on a cold pack to United Clinical
   Laboratories as soon as possible.