Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: NP Swab, Bronchial Alveolar lavage fluid, Bronchial wash, sputum, or tracheal aspirate.

Patient Preparation: None

Container/Tube

Preferred: SUBMIT ONLY 1 OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIMENS based on clinical presentation of symptoms.

• Nasopharyngeal Swab

1. Obtain a vial of universal/viral transport medium (UTM) with collection swab from Pyxis or supplied by St. Louis Children's Hospital Lab (call lab at 314-454-6130 or 314-454-4268 to obtain).
2. Collect specimen by inserting swab into nares, and into nasopharyngeal area.
3. Rotate swab to collect epithelial cells from nasopharyngeal area. Hold swab in place for 10-15 seconds to increase specimen collection. 
4. Place the swab in UTM vial, break off shaft of swab and discard excess piece of shaft. To prevent leaking, make sure the swabs do not interfere with tightening cap on vial.
5. Label transport container with the PPID order label or patient's addressograph label with date and time of collection.
6. Tightly cap the tube, place in a transport bag, and seal.
7. If transport time will exceed 4 hours, specimen should be transported with cold/ice pack

• Bronchial Alveolar Lavage (BAL), Bronch Wash, Sputum, or Tracheal Aspirate

1. Aseptically collect 1.0 mL (minimum 0.6 mL) of specimen.
2. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Label transport container with the PPID order label or patient's addressograph label with date and time of collection.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
5. If transport time will exceed 4 hours, specimen should be transported with cold/ice pack.

Special Instructions:

1. SPECIMEN SOURCE IS REQUIRED ON REQUISITION TO BE PROCESSED
2. Specimen should be delivered immediately to lab.
3. If specimen will be in transit >4 hours, it should be transported with a cold pack.