Genital Specimen Collection

Policy Tech Version 5

Note: The nursing staff will assist the LIP or intern in obtaining these cultures. Obtain cultures before pap smear.

GC or Genital (bacterial) cultures

(Collection method used in pre-pubertal patients in which specimen is collected in cases of suspected assault).

Equipment: ESwab (regular or mini-tip). If Eswabs are too large, smaller E swabs ( green top) are available in the storeroom;

Vaginal

The LIP will separate the patient' s labia and swab high inside vaginal canal. The swab specimen will be broken off into transport tube

Cervix

1. Remove excess mucus with cleaning swab and discard.

2. Insert the swab into the cervical canal and rotate 15-30 seconds.

3. Immediately break off swab into transport tube, do not remove swab.

(A tube received without a swab will be rejected).

Urethra

1. Insert mini-tip culturette into the urethra.

2. Rotate for 3-5 seconds.

3. Immediately break off swab into transport tube.

GC DNA Detection- Requisition order for GC amplified probe

(LGCAMPPROB)

Chlamydia DNA Detection- Requisition order for Chlamydia amp. probe

(CTAMPPROB)

NOTE: This DNA test is not used for medical-legal purposes or with prepubertal children.

Equipment: ProbeTec Swab collection kit (male or female)- obtain from lab

Vaginal: Use Probe-Tec female swab collection kit ( available in Virology)

             The LIP will separate the patient' s labia and swab high inside vaginal canal.

             The swab specimen will be broken off into transport tube.

Cervix: Use Probe-Tec female swab collection kit

1. Remove excess mucus with cleaning swab and discard.

2. Insert the swab into the cervical canal and rotate 15-30 seconds.

3. Immediately break off swab into transport tube, do not remove swab.

(A tube received without a swab will be rejected).

Urethra: Use Probe-Tec male swab collection kit (available in Virology)

1. Insert mini-tip culturette into the urethra.

2. Rotate for 3-5 seconds.

3. Immediately place swab into Probetec transport tube.

Chlamydia isolation (viral culture)

(Collection method used in pre-pubertal patients or for medical-legal purposes in which specimen is collected in cases of suspected assault).

Equipment : ESwab (regular or mini-tip), M4 (VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIUM)

Vaginal

1. The LIP will separate the patient' s labia and swab high inside vaginal canal.

2. Immediately place swab into M4(VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA- VTM) and mix for 10 seconds.

3. Withdraw swab and send M4(VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA- VTM) to Virology.).

Cervix

1. Remove excess mucus with cleaning swab and discard.

2. Insert the swab into the cervical canal and rotate 15-30 seconds.

3. Immediately place swab into M4(VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA- VTM) and mix for 10 seconds.

4. Withdraw swab and send M4(VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA- VTM) to Virology.).

Urethra

1. Insert mini-tip culturette into the urethra.

2. Rotate for 3-5 seconds.

3. Immediately place swab into M4(VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA- VTM) and mix for 10 seconds.

4. Withdraw swab and send M4(VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA- VTM) to Virology.).

Labeling: Label specimen with at least two specimen identifiers, such as name, medical record number, and date of birth.

References:

Bowden, V.R., Smith Greenberg, C.(2008). Pediatric Nursing Procedures, 2nd Ed.

Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Isenberg, H.D. (2004). Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook, Volume 2.

Washington, D.C.: The ASM Press.