Important Instructions for Collecting Your Sample for Testing

 
 

Obtain a collection kit

Our collection kits can be obtained from our collection sites see here

Before you begin:

Ideally a sample is collected first thing in the morning before you drink eat or brush your teeth or take medications. If you are carrying the virus it is likely to be most concentrated in saliva early in the morning. If you are unable to collect first thing in the morning or forget then;

For at least 30 minutes before saliva collection,
DO NOT:   1. Eat or drink  2. Smoke   3. Clean your teeth   4. Chew gum  5.Use nasal spray

Watch our Video on collecting a sample

How to collect saliva:

  1. ONLY 1 Tube needs to be collected per day

  2. Wash your hands.

  3. Unscrew the cap from collection tube and insert the reusable funnel completely. It will create a tight seal.

  4. Swallow once to clear your mouth.

  5. Allow your saliva to pool in your mouth. Be patient .

    1. DO NOT cough or sniff or force yourself to produce saliva
      Allow to naturally pool in your mouth

  6. As you feel saliva collecting in your mouth, pick up the collection tube and the provided funnel and raise these towards your mouth and tip your head forward slightly.

  7. If using a funnel,

    1. Insert the funnel fully into the tube allow your saliva to run down the funnel you DO NOT fill the funnel with saliva you only need a small amount. As a gauge and before use you can draw a line on the funnel with a permanent marker to help as a guide. If you drop the lid of the funnel in the funnel the top of the lid will be the height you would need to fill the funnel before lifting the funnel slightly to allow the saliva to enter the tube.

      1. Do not lift the funnel out of the tube until filled as required.

    2. You should wash your funnel and reuse it as required.

  8. If using a pipette

    1. Kits do not have a pipette but you can use your own if you have one. If used you should draw the saliva from the pooled saliva under your tongue and dispense it into the tube to the required height.

    2. The pipette can be reused (wash and with soap and water and rinse)

  9. Fill the collection tube as pictured (green).

    DO NOT over or under fill the tube or they will be rejected for testing as unsuitable.

  10. Screw on the cap securely.

  11. Open the MyCap app on your phone and click on the task to complete, Answer a couple of questions and then you will be asked to scan your barcode. There are two barcodes on the tubes they result in the same code and the human readable code on the side is the same as the barcodes on the tube base and side. You can scan the code on the tube side or base. When you try and scan you will need to ensure your tube is held still. Sometimes your camera will focus on distant objects if so move the code closer to the phone camera. Some phones work better with the 2D code on the base others with the 1D code on the side. If you are unable to scan either skip to the next screen in the app and you can manually type in the code from the tube side. If you have difficulties call us on 9360 1363 (Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm)

  12. Scan the tube using the MyCap App on your phone ( Never scan the tube on a different day to your sample submission.

  13. Wash your hands.

  14. Return your sample to a Murdoch collection point. Keep sample out of direct sunlight.

Please do NOT over or under fill the tube