ThinPrep:  follow the standard collection methods for ThinPrep Cytology collection.

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Multitest Vaginal Swab: 

Care provider specimen: Collect vaginal fluid sample using the Gen-Probe® Aptima® Vaginal Swab Kit by contacting the swab to the lower third of the vaginal wall, rotating the swab for 10 to 30 seconds to absorb the fluid. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube and carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube. Tightly screw on the cap. 

Patient self-collection instructions: Partially open the package. 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. Remove the swab. Carefully insert the swab into the vagina about 2" past the introitus and gently rotate the swab for 10 to 30 seconds, making sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab. Withdraw the swab without touching the skin. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube and carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube. Tightly screw on the cap.

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Endocervical swab: 

Remove excess mucus from the cervical os and surrounding mucosa using the cleaning swab (white shaft swab in the package with red printing). Discard this swab. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with green printing) into the endocervical canal. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for 10 to 30 seconds in the endocervical canal to ensure adequate sampling. Withdraw the swab carefully; avoid contact with the vaginal mucosa. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the transport tube. Carefully break the swab shaft at the scoreline using care to avoid splashing of the contents. Recap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.

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Male urethral swab: The patient should not have urinated for at least one hour prior to specimen collection. Insert the specimen collection swab (blue shaft swab in the package with the green printing) 2 to 4 cm into the urethra. Gently rotate the swab clockwise for two to three seconds in the urethra to ensure adequate sampling. Withdraw the swab carefully. Remove the cap from the swab specimen transport tube and immediately place the specimen collection swab into the specimen transport tube. Carefully break the swab shaft at the scoreline using care to avoid splashing of contents. Recap the swab specimen transport tube tightly.

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Urine specimen: The patient should not have urinated for at least one hour prior to specimen collection. Direct patient to provide a first-catch urine (approximately 20 mL to 30 mL of the initial urine stream) into a urine collection cup free of any preservatives. Collection of larger volumes of urine may result in specimen dilution that may reduce test sensitivity; lesser volumes may not adequately rinse organisms into the specimen. Female patients should not cleanse the labial area prior to providing the specimen. Add urine to the Aptima® COMBO 2 urine collection device. The final volume must be between the two black lines on the device (about 2 mL).

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Throat swab specimen: Carefully insert the swab into the throat ensuring contact with bilateral tonsils (if present) and the posterior pharyngeal wall, then withdraw the swab without touching the inside of the cheeks or tongue.  While holding swab in hand, unscrew tube cap. Do not spill tube contents. If tube contents are spilled, discard and replace with a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.  Immediately place swab into transport tube so black score line is at top of tube. Align the score line with top edge of tube and carefully break shaft. Discard top portion of shaft.  Tightly screw cap onto tube. When collecting multiple specimens from the same patient, the tube label provides a specimen source field for unique identification for specimen location.

Rectal swab specimen: Carefully insert swab into the rectum about 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) past the anal margin (the outside of the anus) and gently rotate swab clockwise for 5-10 seconds. Withdraw swab without touching skin. While holding swab in hand, unscrew tube cap. Do not spill tube contents. If tube contents are spilled, discard and replace with a new Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.  Immediately place swab into transport tube so black score line is at top of tube. Align the score line with top edge of tube and carefully break shaft. Discard top portion of shaft.  Tightly screw cap onto tube. When collecting multiple specimens from the same patient, the tube label provides a specimen source field for unique identification for specimen location.