Collection Medium:

Minimum:

**IMPORTANT**-It is currently required that cultures be performed for 
suspected sexual abuse cases.
Transport media:  Swabs available from Hospital Stores (923740).

Testing
Schedule:

0700-1630, 7 days a week, including holidays.

Analytic Time:

Cultures are held 2-3 days.

Comments:

A. Endocervical, urethral, rectal, and conjunctival swabs: Use swab
   supplied in kit (large swab for female cervical specimens and small
   swab with metal shaft to collect male urethral specimens). Swab area
   and place in tube containing transport medium. Do not submit dry
   swabs, wood swabs, or calcium alginate swabs.

B. Nasopharyngeal wash: Draw 3 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) into
   an infant bulb syringe, tilt head back and inoculate 1-2 ml into
   nostril.  Aspirate fluid from nostril into bulb syringe.  Place
   contents in sterile container.

C. Urine: Unsatisfactory for chlamydia culture.  Submit urine specimen
   for PCR.

Methodology:

Shell vial culture with DFA.

Sample
Processing:

Immediately place specimen into vial of transport media and seal 
tightly.
Indicate specimen/fluid type on requisition.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as 
possible.
Specimen source is required on requisition for processing.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of 
collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Submit in leakproof container.

Sample
Storage:

Specimen cannot be frozen.
Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Transport
Instructions:

Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place coolant packs into styrofoam container.
Recommend express mail or equivalent if not on courier service.

CPT Code:

87140