Instruction for Sample Collection (Covid 19)

Collecting Saliva Sample for COVID Test

Kit Content: collection vial with funnel or 50 ml Falcon tube, biohazard bag with absorbent material, alcohol wipe, and instructions for use .

Do’s and Dont’s

1. WARNING: Do not eat, drink, smoke, clean your teeth, use tooth paste such as Colgate,
   chew gum, or use nasal sprays for 30 minutes before collecting your saliva sample.
2. Do not spit into the tube. Let the saliva collect naturally into your mouth and then drool the saliva into the tube.
3. Sample must be shipped or dropped off at the lab the day that it has been collected.

Note: Specimens returned 56 hours after sample collection are not processed. Specimens with leaks or sputum will be rejected and a fresh sample would need to be collected. We need Saliva and not sputum.

Steps for Saliva Collection

1. Clean your hands with 70% alcohol based sanitizer.
2. Place the collection kit next to you. Do not touch the inside of the tube.
3. Swallow once to clear your mouth
4. Imagine eating delicious food. Let the saliva collect in the mouth. Massage your cheek if necessary to stimulate saliva production.
5. Gently release the saliva that has pooled into your mouth into the sterile collection tube.
6. Collect enough saliva uptil the markings or in case of Falcon tube uptil the cone.
7. Tightly screw the cap back onto the tube. Ensure that the cap is secured.
8. Log into your client portal . Enter collection date , Collection time and collected by . Print the label with name and date of birth from the client portal.
9. Put the label onto the tube vertically.
10. Have the patient verify his name and dob on the tube.
11. Place the closed tube into the biohazard bag.
12. Discard the alcohol wipe and the funnel into the trash bin.
13. Sanitize your hands with alcohol-based sanitizer.

SHIPPING:

1. Place the biospecimen bag in the cooler box
2. The cooler box in the shipping box
3. Place the return label and the UN3733 label on the outside of the shipping box
4. Schedule an evening pick-up from Fedex. (Note: Schedule this in the morning fro evening pickup)

Collecting Anterior Nasal Swab Sample

1. Clean your hands with 70% alcohol based sanitizer.
2. Place the collection kit next to you. Do not touch the inside of the tube.
3. Remove the swab from the package. Do not touch the soft end with your hands or anything else.
4. Insert the entire soft end of the swab into your nostril no more than ¾ of an inch (1.5 cm) into your nose.
5. Slowly rotate the swab, gently pressing against the inside of your nostril at least 4 times for a total of 15 seconds. Get as much nasal discharge as possible on the soft end of the swab.
6. Gently remove the swab.
7. Using the same swab, repeat steps 4–6 in your other nostril with the same end of the swab.
8. Place the swab in the sterile tube and snap off the end of the swab at the break line, so that it fits comfortably in the tube. Place the cap on the tube and screw down tightly to prevent leakage.
9. Log into your client portal and print the label with name and date of birth. Enter collection date , Collection time and collected by .
10. Put the label onto the tube vertically.
11. Re-apply hand sanitizer.
12. Place the tube containing the swab in the biohazard bag provided and seal the bag.
13. Give the bag with the swab to testing personnel
14. Throw away the remaining specimen collection kit items.
15. Re-apply hand sanitizer.

SHIPPING

1. Place the biospecimen bag in the cooler box
2. The cooler box in the shipping box
3. Place the return label and the UN3733 label on the outside of the shipping box
4. Schedule an evening pick-up from Fedex. (Note: Schedule this in the morning for evening pickup).

Last Updated: 1/17/2022

Sample Collection Training Documentation