Gonorrhea Swabs (see Genital Culture)
| Test Name | Genital Culture |
|---|---|
| Alternate Name(s) | Cervical, Vagina or Urethra culture |
| Laboratory Module | Microbiology |
| Ordering Mnemonic | GENITAL Once genital is selected as the source of the swab a further description can be entered using the source dictionary. For instance: CERVIX- cervix (eg. gonorrhea) VAGINA-vagina (eg. toxic shock, trichomonas or bacterial vaginosis) VAGINA-rectal (eg. Group B Strep) URETHRA-urethra (eg. gonorrhea) MOUTH-mouth (eg. gonorrhea) Note: A pop-up menu will appear in regards to the patient when a vaginal swab is collected, these questions need to be answered in order to process the specimen appropriately. Is the patient pregnant? Is sexual abuse suspected? Is toxic shock suspected? Note: Throat and Rectal swabs for GC investigation are ordered as genital. For Sexual Assault part of order set /SA
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| Specimen Type | A swab of the genital area that is of concern to the health care provider. |
| Collection Container | Amies Transport Media |
| Container Information |
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| Collection Information | Cervix Remove excess mucus from the cervical area. Insert the endocervical specimen collection swab into the cervical canal and rotate for 15 to 30 seconds. Withdraw the swab carefully. Avoid contact with the vaginal mucosa. Immediately place the cap/swab into the transport tube. Make sure the cap is tightly secured to the tube. Label the tube with the patient information and date/time of collection. Vagina Remove excess mucus from the vaginal area. Insert the endocervical specimen collection swab into the vagina and rotate for 15 to 30 seconds. Withdraw the swab carefully. Immediately place the cap/swab into the transport tube. Make sure the cap is tightly secured to the tube. Label the tube with the patient information and date/time of collection. Urethra Insert the mini-tip swab 2-4 cm into the urethra and rotate for 3-5 seconds. Withdraw the swab and place the cap/swab into the transport tube. Make sure the cap is tightly secured to the tube. Label the tube with patient information and date/time collected. |
| Test Schedule | Daily |
| Routine Turnaround Time | Preliminary: 24 hours Final: 72 hours |
| Stat Turnaround Time | Preliminary: 24 hours Final: 72 hours |
| Reference Interval | (Information Unavailable) |
| Critical Values | As growth is detected and identified the information is made available to the health care provider. |
| Lab Process Notes | If the patient is unknown pregnancy, proceed as the patient is pregnant. |
| Storage and Transport | The swab should be maintained at room temperature until transport to the lab. Once in the lab the specimen will be stored at room temperature in the microbiology rack. |
| Test Referred To | On site, BGH laboratory |
