Collection Instructions

Use a flexible BBL nasopharyngeal culture swab. The distance from the patient's nose to the ear gives an estimate of the distance the swab should be inserted to reach the mid-inferior turbinate sampling site. Patient's head shold be tilted backwards to an angle of 70 degrees. Insert the swab into one nostril straight back (not upwards) and continue along the floor of the nasal passage for several centimeters, until reaching the nasopharynx (resistance will be met). Do not force the swab, if obstruction is encountered before reaching the nasopharynx, remove the swab and try the other side. Rotate the swab gently 2 or 3 times and then hold the swab in place for 5 seconds to loosen and absorb the infected epithelial cells. Slowly withdraw swab with a rotating motion. For an optimal sample, repeat the same procedure in the other nostril using the same swab.