Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

External Ear

1. Cleanse external canal with mild antiseptic.
2. Insert sterile funnel and ESwab (See instructions below) or scrape from active margin.
3. Label specimen with patient’s name, date of birth or hospital medical record number, specimen source, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials

Middle or Inner Ear

1. Cleanse external canal with mild antiseptic.
2. After sterile funnel is inserted, aspirate specimen should be collected by physician trained in this procedure.
3. Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container.
4. Label specimen with patient’s name, date of birth or hospital medical record number, specimen source, date and time of collection, and collector’s initials.

Instructions for Collection Using ESwab:

1. Open the ESwab peel pouch
2. Remove the FLOQSwab from the pouch
3. Collect the sample, making sure fingers are above the red molded breakpoint
4. Uncap the ESwab tube
5. Place the FLOQSwab in the ESwab tube
6. Break the FLOQSwab applicator shaft at the molded, color marked breakpoint, ensuring that fingers are always above the breakpoint
7. Recap the ESwab tube