Specimen Information

The BD BBL CultureSwab Plus is a double swab unit. When collecting laboratory specimens note that each double swab unit is considered 1 swab.

1. With aseptic technique, peel open the wrapper and remove the cap from the transport tube. 
2. Remove the applicator swabs and collect the specimen. During specimen collection, the applicator tip should only touch the area where the infection is suspected to minimize potential contamination. Select  the most purulent area possible. Be sure to utilize both swabs and obtain purulent material on each  swab. One swab will be used for the culture and the other for Gram Stain 
CAUTION: When collecting swab specimens from patients, care should be taken not to use excessive  force or pressure which may result in breakage of the swab shaft. 
3. Insert swabs into the gel at bottom of tube and firmly push cap into tube. 
4. For anaerobic cultures, a second swab collection kit needs to be collected. Repeat the above steps. 
5.  Label specimen completely with patient’s full name, date of birth, date/time collected, and anatomic site of the culture. 
6.  Be sure to indicate the site/source on the requisition. 
7.  Transport to Laboratory ASAP in a specimen biohazard transport bag

Swabs are used when it is impractical to obtain a fluid specimen or at a site of infecion where there is no fluid production. Two swabs should be collected; one for the aerobic culture and gram smear, the other for the anaerobic culture.

*Source must be included when ordering.

Note that the following sources are not appropiate for an Anaerobic Culture:

Swabs for throat, nose, urethra, vagina, cervix or rectum.

Expectorataed sputum, bronchoscopic specimens, voided or catheterized urine, feces or gastric contents.

Reject Due To:

- Above conditions not met

- Specimens with needles attached

- Specimen unlabeled or mislabeled