Specimen Requirements

Container Type:
APTIMA Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit (white label) or
APTIMA Urine Specimen Collection Kit (yellow label) or
APTIMA Multitest Swab Collection Kit (orange label) or
APTIMA Specimen Transfer Kit for ThinPrep/Pap Test (green label)
or sterile container for Urine sample
Specimen Type: See below.
Preferred Volume: 20 mL; 1 mL from ThinPrep Pap Test to ThinPrep transfer vial.
Emergency Minimum Volume: 2 mL for urine, not to exceed 30 mLs
Patient Prep: When collecting a male urethral specimen or any urine sample, patient should not have urinated for at least one hour prior to specimen collection.
Collection Procedure:
Female endocervical or male urethral specimens, collect with the APTIMA Unisex Swab Specimen Collection Kit (white label): Use the larger white swab for cleaning and discard. Collect sample according to instructions in kit. Clinician collected vaginal swab or patient collected vaginal swab at physician's office.
Throat or rectal swab collect with the APTIMA Multitest Swab Collection Kit (orange label) 

ThinPrep Pap Test vial may be used alternatively for endocervical collections done at the same time as a Pap Smear. Send the ThinPrep vial to Central Oregon Pathology with Pap form and separate lab order.

For urine, collect 20-30 mL first catch urine specimen (not clean catch) into a sterile plastic urine container. Urine specimen can be transferred to the APTIMA Combo 2 Assay Urine Specimen Collection Kit for transport. When filling the Urine specimen collection kit, urine levels must be between the two black lines indicated on the side of the vial.

Specimen Processing: Transport all samples collected in the kits at room temperature or refrigerated. Urine samples not collected in these kits must be refrigerated and received within 24 hours of collection.
Required: Patient Info Source
Stability: Room Temp: Swabs-2 months, Urine in media-1 month, Urine not in media is not stable. Refrigerated: Swabs-2 months, Urine in media-1 month, Urine not in media-24 hours. Frozen: (-20 øC) Swabs-3 months, Urine in media-3 months.
Unacceptable Condition: Endocervical, urethral or rectal swabs not collected with the Aptima Swab. Samples received containing NO swab. Urine specimens with preservatives; catherized urine samples.  GENPROBE PACE 2 tubes are not acceptable.