BD ESwab Manual Del Usario página 3

Samples collected for bacteriological investigations which comprise the isolation of aerobes, anaerobes and
fastidious bacteria such as Nesseria gonorrhoeae should be collected and handled following published manuals and
guidelines. 2,3,14-19
To maintain optimum organism viability, transport specimens collected using BD ESwab directly to the laboratory, preferably
within 2 h of collection. 2-4
stored at room temperature (20–25 °C) and processed within 48 h except for Neisseria gonorrhoeae cultures which should
be processed within 24 h.
Specific requirements for the shipment and handling of specimens should be in full compliance with state and federal
regulations. 15,18,19 Shipping of specimens within medical institutions should comply with internal guidelines of the
institution. All specimens should be processed as soon as they are received in the laboratory.
Specimen Collection
Proper specimen collection from the patient is extremely critical for successful isolation and identification of infectious organisms.
For specific guidance regarding specimen collection procedures, consult published reference manuals.
NOTE: Swab should not be bent prior to sample collection.
1. Open the BD ESwab sample collection kit and remove the tube and the swab applicator.
2. Collect the specimen from the patient.
3. Aseptically unscrew and remove the cap from the tube.
4. Insert the swab into the tube and bend the swab shaft at the breakpoint indicated by the colored line marked on the swab
shaft against the tube to break the shaft. Discard the broken handle part of the swab shaft into an approved medical
waste disposal container.
5. Replace cap on the tube and secure tightly.
6. Write patient information on the tube label or apply patient identification label. Send the specimen to the test laboratory.
During specimen collection when handling the swab applicator, the operator must not touch the area below the marked
breakpoint indication line; that is the area from the line to the tip of the nylon flocked swab (see Fig 3), as this will lead to
contamination of the applicator shaft and the culture thus invalidating the test results.
Fig 3. Collection swab showing breakpoint indication line and area for holding the applicator
After the swab sample is taken from the patient, the swab applicator shaft is broken off at the colored breakpoint indication
line by bending the shaft on the side of the tube allowing the swab to fall into the BD ESwab tube of transport medium. The
operator then discards the handle part of the swab into an approved medical waste disposal container. The tube's screw cap
is then replaced and secured tightly. The action of screwing the cap onto the tube moves the end of the broken swab shaft
into a funnel shaped molded docking receptacle in the cap (see Fig 4). This molded funnel shape captures the end of the
broken applicator shaft and secures it firmly in the dock by friction grip.
Fig 4. Capture of broken swab applicator stick by BD ESwab tube cap
In the testing laboratory when the BD ESwab cap is unscrewed and removed, the swab applicator stick is securely attached
to the cap. This feature allows the operator to conveniently remove the swab and perform various microbiology analyses
using the tube cap as a handle to hold and manipulate the swab. Due to the flexibility of the shaft of the minitip swabs
(220246 & 220532), the capture cap feature is not applicable, as the broken applicator may not firmly fit in the cap. Use
sterile forceps to extract the applicator from the tube or from the cap if the swab has been partially captured.
If immediate delivery or processing is delayed, then specimens should be refrigerated at 4–8 °C or
3
2,14,16-18,20