Specimen Requirements

See Swab Collection and Transport Guide in Special Instructions for additional information.

Specimen source is required.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Specimen Type: Sinus aspirate

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1-2 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Inject 1 to 2 mL of sterile saline into sinus.

2. Withdraw saline and aspiration or sinus washing into a syringe.

3. Place specimen in sterile container.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.

Alternate:

Specimen Type: Sinus

Container/Tube: Culture swabs in sterile culture transport tubes, Blue cap ESwab or Green NPG swab

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions: Label tubes with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth and/or Social Security number, and date and time of collection.