“Eswab/Amies
Sterile urine collection cup”
Chlamydia & Gonorrhea (Bacterial):
Specification after draw: The sample must be placed immediately into the transport medium/preservative tube and the cap tightly sealed. For urine, the volume must be between the indicated black lines on the tube.
Syphilis (Bacterial):
Specification after draw: Follow the “”order of draw”” for blood collection. Store/transport according to lab guidelines (often refrigerated or room temperature, depending on the test)
Candidiasis (Fungal) / Bacterial Vaginosis (Bacterial):
Specification after draw: Place the swab into the transport media. For fluid/tissue, place in a sterile container with a small amount of saline if needed to prevent drying, but no preservative.
qPCR
(RML)
Test
Interference
Antimicrobials: Collect specimens before the administration of antimicrobial or antifungal therapy whenever possible, as this can interfere with culture results.
Contamination: Avoid contamination with normal flora from adjacent sites (e.g., vaginal mucosa during endocervical swab collection, or saliva when collecting sputum).
Spermicides/Lubricants/Douches: These preparations can interfere with test results, so patients should be instructed to avoid using them before sample collection.
Improper Transport: Using the incorrect transport media (e.g., M4 media for urine), incorrect container, or delays in transport/processing can lead to overgrowth of contaminants or death of fragile pathogens.
Specimen Quantity: Insufficient sample quantity may lead to inaccurate results.
Miscellaneous Instructions to Collector
Aseptic Technique: Observe aseptic technique during collection to prevent contamination.
Labeling: Label all primary specimen containers with at least two patient-specific identifiers (e.g., name and date of birth), specimen type, and date/time of collection at the patient bedside.
Patient Instructions: Provide clear instructions to the patient, especially for self-collected samples (e.g., midstream clean-catch urine, or proper self-swabbing technique).
Transport Conditions: Follow specific temperature guidelines for transport. Most specimens for culture should not be frozen for short-term storage (store at 2-8°C instead), while some molecular tests allow room temperature transport.
Prompt Delivery: Deliver specimens to the lab promptly to ensure maximum recovery of viable organisms.
