1. Obtain specimen using a teal culture swab.
2. Tilt patient’s head back to assist in opening mouth as wide as possible.
3. Depress tongue with a tongue depressor so swab does not touch oral mucosa or tongue.
4. If patient has complained of 1 spot being sore, swab that area well.
5. In 1 continuous motion:
A. Swab 1 tonsillar area up then down.
B. Move to back of throat as far down as possible and swab there.
C. Move to other tonsillar area and swab.
D. Swab behind uvula, and remove swab.
6. Place swab in a sterile culture transport tube.
7. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and time of collection, and type of specimen.
8. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Immunoassay
Negative
American Medical Association recommends that all negative antigen tests be followed up by culture.
Monday through Sunday
Available STAT
87430
Cannot be performed on a pink top swab.