1. Specimen Collection

2. Specimen Collection

3. Materials for Specimen Collection
Viral Transport media in collection tubes
Polyester fiber tipped swabs
Personal protective equipment
Specimen submission forms
Viral Transport media in collection tubes
Polyester fiber tipped swabs
Personal protective equipment
Specimen submission forms

4. Materials for Specimen Collection
Should be dacron, rayon, or polyester fiber swabs
Do not use cotton swabs with wooden sticks or swabs containing calcium alginate; inhibits PCR

5. Visual Resources http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgVZ3p8OJ0A

6. Specimen Handling
Swab specimens should be placed in a biohazard bag and placed at 4°C
Transport to laboratory as soon as possible
Specimens may be stored at 4°C for 2 days; longer storage will require freezing at -70 °C
Do not store in standard freezer – keep on ice or in refrigerator
Avoid freeze-thaw cycles; better to keep on ice for a week than to have repeat freeze and thaw
Swab specimens should be placed in a biohazard bag and placed at 4°C
Transport to laboratory as soon as possible
Specimens may be stored at 4°C for 2 days; longer storage will require freezing at -70 °C
Do not store in standard freezer – keep on ice or in refrigerator
Avoid freeze-thaw cycles; better to keep on ice for a week than to have repeat freeze and thaw