Specimen Requirements

Note: Do not collect specimen within 4 hours after irrigation or installation of disinfectant solution or ophthalmic medication.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Conjunctiva

1. Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic.
2. Under aseptic conditions, gently touch applicator to drainage site and roll applicator away from eye (See Instructions for Collection Using ESwab below).
3. Avoid skin contact with eyelid border or lashes.
4. If no drainage, gently retract lower lid and touch applicator to inner aspect of eyelid.
5. 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.

Corneal Scrapings

1. Cleanse skin around eye with mild antiseptic.
2. Scrapings should be collected by physician and placed in culture transport media or a screw-capped, sterile container.
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.

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