Vaginal - Candida/Trichomonas PCR

Important Note

• This test has not been validated for patients <18 years old.  Please contact the laboratory recommended alternative testing.

Specimen Type: Swab
Collection Container: BD Molecular Swab Collection Kit
Specimen Volume: Swab

1. Remove the sterile swab from its sheath, taking care not to contaminate the tip or shaft. Do not lay the swab down on any surface. If the swab tip is touched or if the swab is laid down, discard it and use a new collection kit. 
2. Check for presence of the swab tip. If the swab has no tip, discard it and request a new BD Molecular Swab Sample Buffer Tube.
3. Hold the swab by the white cap. Gently slide the swab no more than 2 inches into the vagina. If the swab does not slide easily, gently rotate the swab while it is pushed. Make sure the swab touches the walls of the vagina so that moisture is absorbed by the swab.
4. Rotate the swab for 10–15 seconds.
5. Withdraw the swab without touching the skin.
6. Uncap the BD Molecular Swab Sample Buffer Tube and fully insert the swab into the tube so that the tip is at the bottom.
7. Grasping the swab by the cap, carefully break the swab shaft at the score mark. Use caution to avoid splashing of the tube contents.
8. Tighten the cap securely on the BD Molecular Swab Sample Buffer Tube. In the event that the swab shaft is too long to allow closing the tube securely, perform specimen collection again using a new swab.
9. Label the BD Molecular Swab Sample Buffer Tube with patient information and date/time collected.
   Note: Be careful not to obscure the barcodes on the tube. Some squares must be visible.
10. Use the viewing window on the BD Molecular Swab Sample Buffer Tube label to ensure the swab specimen was added to the tube.

1. Vaginal specimens on patients ≥18 years old.
2. Swab must be transferred immediately after collection to the BD Molecular Swab Buffer Tube.

Room temperature: 21 days
Refrigerated: 21 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

Incorrect swab received. Swab not submitted in UVE Sample Buffer Tube. No swab present in UVE Sample Buffer Tube.

Daily

1-2 days