Rectal Swab

Instructions for Patient Self Collection of Rectal Specimens

1: Wash hands thoroughly.

2: Remove Swab A (Woven swab) from sterile packaging and hold with scoreline above hand. Discard Swab B.

3: Adopt one of the following two postures:

Sitting technique
Sit on the toilet and hold genitalia up and out of the way. Leaning forward between the legs, insert swab approximately 3–5 cm into the rectum.

Standing technique
With right foot on the edge of the toilet bowl, retracting left buttock with left hand. From behind, insert swab approximately 3–5 cm into the rectum.

4: Gently rotate the swab for 5–10 seconds while rolling the swab against the inside wall of the rectum.

5: Do not touch the end of the swab. Do not let the end of the swab touch any surface before placing it into the tube.

6: While holding swab in same hand, unscrew the cap from the specimen transport tube. Do not spill tube contents.
If the tube contents are spilled, request a new COBAS PCR media dual swab kit.

• Immediately place the swab into the tube so the score line is at the top of the tube.
• Align score line with the top edge of the tube and carefully break swab shaft so swab tip drops to bottom of tube.
• Discard swab handle.
• Re-cap the tube tightly.

Ensure only swab A (Woven swab) is placed in the transport tube. Do not use Swab B (Flocked swab).

7: Wash hands thoroughly.

Note: Minor faecal matter on the swab will not affect the testing process. Swabs that are grossly contaminated with faeces should be discarded and the collection repeated.