Obstetric Panel (1L & 2ST)

Bacterial Vaginosis
Candida
HSV 1/2
Trichomonas

Vaginal swab collected in Aptima vaginal swab transport tube (orange Aptima tube).

1. Vaginal swab collected in Aptima vaginal swab transport tube (orange Aptima tube). Partially peel open the swab package. Remove the swab. Do not touch the soft tip or lay the swab down. If the soft tip is touched, the swab is laid down, or the swab is dropped, use a new Aptima vaginal swab specimen collection kit.

2. Hold the swab, placing your thumb and forefinger in the middle of the swab shaft covering the score line. Do not hold the swab shaft below the score line.

3. Carefully insert the swab into the vagina about 2 inches (5 cm) past the introitus and gently rotate the swab for 10-30 seconds.

4. Make sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab and then withdraw the swab without touching the skin.

5. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the cap from the tube. Do not spill the contents of the tube. If the contents of the tube are spilled, use a new Aptima vaginal swab or specimen collection kit.

6. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube. 
7. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.

8. Submit the sample to the laboratory at Room Temperature or Refrigerated.

CT/NG

Female endocervical or vaginal swab or male urethral swab in Aptima transport tube. Room Temperature.

Vaginal Pathogens DNA Panel

Vaginal fluid collected in BD Affirm VPII ambient temperature transport system. Room Temperature. Note: separate swabs should be submitted if other tests are also ordered (e.g., Culture).

Obtain an adequate sampling from the cervix using spatula, brush, or broom. Insert the central bristles of the broom into the endocervical canal deep enough to allow the shorter bristles to fully contact the ectocervix. For collection with broom: push gently and rotate in a clockwise direction five (5) times. For collection with brush: slowly rotate . 1/4 - 1/2 turn in one direction. Rinse the broom into the vial by pushing the broom into the bottom of the vial ten (10) times, forcing the bristles apart. As a final step, swirl the broom vigorously to further dislodge material. Discard the collection device. Do not leave collection device in the vial. Remove immediately. Tighten the cap so that the torque line on the cap passes the torque line on the vial. Record the patient's name and ID number on the vial. The sample will be returned if it is received without proper labeling. Record the patient name and medical history on the cytology requisition. Submit the sample to the laboratory at Room Temperature. Medicaid THSTEPS samples must sent to DSHS laboratory.

CT/NG
CT (Chlamydia)
NG (Gonorrhoeae)

1 mL fluid from Preservcyt vial (ThinPrep). Room Temperature.

1 mL ThinPrep (Preservcyt) solution. Room Temperature or Refrigerated.

Obtain material with spatula, endocervical brush, or cervical broom. Insert the brush or broom into the endocervical canal. Apply gentle pressure on the cervix until the lateral bristles of the brush bend against the ectocervix. Maintaining gentle pressure, hold the stem between the thumb and forefinger and rotate the broom five (5) turns clockwise OR slowly rotate the brush 1/4 -1/2 turn in one direction.

The entire head of the brush/broom is removed from the handle and placed into a SurePath collection vial. The vial is capped, labeled and sent with appropriate paperwork to the laboratory for processing. The vial must be labeled with patient name or it will be returned. Room Temperature. Medicaid THSTEPS samples must sent to DSHS laboratory.

CT/NG

CT (Chlamydia)

NG (Gonorrhea)

1 mL fluid from SurePath vial. Room Temperature

HSV 1/2

Trichomonas

1 mL SurePath solution. Room Temperature or Refrigerated.