What happens if we submit a specimen with an incorrect swab (i.e. cleaning swab)?
If a specimen is submitted with an incorrect swab or no swab, it will be rejected. The only acceptable swab to place in the transport tube is the Specimen Collection Swab (small blue- shafted swab) that is a part of the CT/GC NAAT collection swab kit. The cleaning swab (large white-shafted swab) that is also a part of the packet is to be used for cleaning the cervical os and then discarded. Please refer to Specimen Collection for the proper collection procedure for collecting endocervical specimens. This procedure can also be found (1) inside the lid of the box containing the collection swabs, (2) on the packaging of the swab itself, and (3) on the specimen collection video and laminated specimen collection guides that were included in the introductory packets of information.
