Specimen Requirements

1. Clinician-collected vaginal swabs submitted in Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit
   1. The collection kit contains the following:
      1. One individually wrapped, sterile swab
      2. One Aptima transport tube containing 2.9 mL of transport media
   2. The collection kits are stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C) and are stable until the expiration date on the kit.  Do not use expired Aptima Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kits.
   3. 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 Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
   4. 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.
   5. Carefully insert the swab into the vagina about 2 inches (5 cm) past the introitus and gently rotate the swab for 10 to 30 seconds. 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.
   6. 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 Multitest Swab Specimen Collection Kit.
   7. Immediately place the swab into the transport tube so that the score line is at the top of the tube.
   8. Carefully break the swab shaft at the score line against the side of the tube.
   9. Immediately discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
   10. Tightly screw the cap onto the tube.
   11. Label the specimen with the patient’s name, ID number and/or date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials.