Boulder Care

Oral Fluid Test Instructions

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Complete the following steps now to make your on-demand visit with a Care Advocate faster and easier:

  1. Make sure you are hydrated and have drank water recently. Avoid nicotine during this process.

  2. Gather these supplies:

    a. A pen.

    b. The oral fluid test kit mailed to you by Boulder.

  3. Open your oral fluid test kit. It should contain:

    a. An oral swab and test tube.

    b. An order sheet.

    c. 1 bio-hazard bag for packing your completed test.

    d. 1 square of gauze.

    e. A return box or envelope, pre-addressed and labeled.

  4. On the order form, sign your name.

  5. Initial the sticker on the order form by “donor’s initials” ONLY. Do NOT initial by collector’s initials.

  6. Place the order form aside, and take out the oral swab and test tube:

  1. Make sure your mouth is not dry, and that there is saliva in your mouth.

  2. Unwrap the swab, and place the wide, spongy end of the swab under your tongue, like you would a thermometer.

  1. Hold the swab under your tongue as it gathers saliva, until the clear window in the handle of the swab turns blue.

    a. This may take up to ten minutes.

    b. A mirror or your phone’s camera is the easiest method to check to see if it has turned blue, but it is okay to remove it from your mouth for a moment to check (without putting it down).

  2. Keeping the swab in your mouth, pop-off the cap of the test tube.

  3. Place the sponge-end of the swab into the tube. It is okay if the handle of the swab sticks out slightly.

  1. Put the red cap of the tube back on. You will hear a click when it is correctly resealed. This may cause the swab to press slightly down to fit, that is okay.

That’s it, congratulations! A Care Advocate will join you shortly to finish this process and confirm your test was completed successfully, please keep your supplies and phone together with you.