BD 220121 - CultureSwab Plus Amies Gel with Charcoal Specimen Collection and Transport System, Single Swab, 50/PK (Temp Sensitive; Non-Returnable) (Continental US Only)

BD 220121 - CultureSwab Plus Amies Gel with Charcoal Specimen Collection and Transport System, Single Swab, 50/PK (Temp Sensitive; Non-Returnable) (Continental US Only)

The BD 220121 CultureSwab Plus Amies Gel with Charcoal, Single Swab is a professional specimen collection and transport system designed for clinical microbiology workflows. It is used to collect, transport, and help preserve compatible clinical specimens before laboratory processing.

BD identifies SKU 220121 as a CultureSwab Plus Amies gel with charcoal single swab. BD describes the CultureSwab and CultureSwab Plus systems as collection and transport systems that help collect and transport aerobes and anaerobes, with published studies supporting enhanced microorganism recovery performance compared with other options.

This configuration includes Amies charcoal gel transport medium and a single applicator swab. Fisher Scientific lists the BD BBL CultureSwab Plus Amies Gel with Charcoal Single Swab as a collection and transport system for the collection, transport, and preservation of clinical specimens for bacteriological examination.

Key Benefits

• Amies gel with charcoal supports specimen transport for compatible bacteriology workflows.
• Charcoal formulation may help preserve fastidious organisms and support microorganism viability during transport.
• Single-swab configuration provides a straightforward collection format when one applicator is required.
• CultureSwab Plus design supports collection and transport of compatible aerobic and anaerobic organisms.
• Round-bottom tube helps contain the swab and transport medium during handling and movement to the laboratory.
• Security cap supports a water-tight seal for safer specimen transport.
• Extra-large preattached label supports specimen identification and lot, expiration, and product tracking.
• Tamper-evident seal helps support specimen integrity during transport.
• 50 per pack packaging supports inventory planning for clinics, laboratories, urgent care centers, and high-volume collection areas.

Compatibility and Applications

The BD 220121 is intended for clinical microbiology specimen collection and transport workflows that accept CultureSwab Plus, Amies charcoal gel, and a single-swab format. It is not a stand-alone diagnostic test; it is a specimen collection and transport device used before laboratory examination.

This product is commonly used in hospitals, outpatient clinics, urgent care centers, physician offices, diagnostic laboratories, wound care settings, womens health clinics, ENT practices, and other healthcare environments where swab specimens must be collected and transported for bacteriological testing.

Typical applications may include compatible throat, wound, skin, urogenital, nasal, and other bacteriology specimen collection workflows when clinically indicated and accepted by the receiving laboratory. Facilities should confirm that Amies gel with charcoal and the single-swab configuration are appropriate for the ordered test before collection.

Usage Guidelines

• Inspect the package before use and do not use the swab if the sterile barrier is damaged, opened, expired, or compromised.
• Confirm that CultureSwab Plus, Amies gel with charcoal, and single-swab format are appropriate for the ordered test and laboratory protocol.
• Use aseptic technique and follow facility procedures for patient identification, collection site preparation, specimen collection, labeling, and transport.
• Collect the specimen from the correct anatomical site according to the ordered test and laboratory instructions.
• Avoid touching the swab tip or allowing it to contact non-target surfaces before or after collection.
• Place the swab into the transport tube immediately after collection and secure the cap fully.
• Label the tube with all required patient identifiers, collection site, collection date and time, and facility-required documentation.
• Transport the specimen promptly to the laboratory under the time and temperature conditions required by the test protocol.
• Dispose of used or contaminated materials according to facility biohazard and infection control procedures.

Certifications, Safety Standards, and Regulatory Approvals

The BD 220121 is part of the BD CultureSwab Plus collection and transport system family. Fisher Scientific identifies this product as a collection and transport system with Amies Charcoal Gel medium, single applicator swab configuration, and 5.25 inch length. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

BDs product page confirms the product as CultureSwab Plus Amies gel with charcoal single swab and describes the broader CultureSwab Plus system as supporting collection and transport of aerobes and anaerobes. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} Healthcare facilities should verify current product labeling, instructions for use, expiration dating, storage requirements, transport conditions, lot information, and regulatory status directly through BD, CIA Medical, or an authorized distributor before clinical implementation.

Comparison with Competitor Products

The BD 220121 is best compared with specimen collection and transport systems from manufacturers such as Copan, Puritan, Hardy Diagnostics, Thermo Fisher, and other microbiology collection suppliers. Compared with dry swabs, this BD CultureSwab Plus configuration includes Amies charcoal gel transport medium to help preserve compatible organisms during transport.

Compared with BD 220126, which uses Amies gel without charcoal in a flexible wire configuration, BD 220121 uses Amies gel with charcoal in a single-swab format. Compared with BD liquid Amies or liquid Stuart CultureSwab products, BD 220121 uses a gel-based charcoal medium, making it better aligned with laboratories that specify Amies charcoal gel transport.

Compared with double-swab systems, the single-swab format is simpler for collection workflows requiring only one applicator. Compared with non-charcoal Amies gel options, the charcoal formulation may be preferred when the receiving laboratorys protocol calls for charcoal-containing transport medium to support recovery of certain fastidious organisms.

Typical User Profile and Application Scenarios

The typical users of the BD 220121 include nurses, physicians, medical assistants under supervision, laboratory technicians, microbiology staff, wound care clinicians, womens health clinicians, ENT clinicians, urgent care teams, and other trained healthcare professionals responsible for specimen collection and transport.

This product is especially useful in clinical scenarios requiring Amies gel with charcoal, sterile single-swab collection, and transport support for compatible bacteriology specimens. Common use cases may include throat, wound, skin, urogenital, nasal, and other swab-based specimens when clinically indicated and supported by the receiving laboratorys protocol.

Best Practices for Use and Maintenance

• Store the product according to manufacturer and facility storage requirements.
• Rotate inventory by expiration date to avoid using expired collection systems.
• Keep swabs in original packaging until ready for specimen collection.
• Confirm with the laboratory that CultureSwab Plus Amies gel with charcoal and single-swab format are appropriate for the ordered test.
• Do not use the device if the tube is leaking, the cap does not secure properly, or the transport medium appears compromised.
• Collect enough specimen material according to laboratory procedure while avoiding contamination from adjacent tissue or surfaces.
• Secure the cap fully after collection to help prevent leakage, drying, or transport failure.
• Send specimens to the laboratory promptly and document collection details accurately.
• Train staff on correct specimen collection technique because poor collection can affect test quality even when the transport system is appropriate.

Regulatory and Safety Information

The BD 220121 is intended for professional clinical specimen collection and transport use. It should be used only by trained personnel following manufacturer instructions, laboratory requirements, infection control procedures, and facility policy.

Do not use the product if packaging is damaged, if the device is expired, if the transport medium appears compromised, if the cap does not close properly, or if the configuration does not match the ordered test. Clinical specimens should be treated as potentially infectious and handled with appropriate personal protective equipment, biohazard precautions, and regulated medical waste procedures.

How to Order

Select the BD 220121 CultureSwab Plus Amies Gel with Charcoal, Single Swabs and add it to your cart. Complete checkout with your preferred shipping and payment options. For bulk orders, quotes, availability confirmation, temperature-sensitive shipping questions, or further assistance, contact CIA Medical customer service at (312) 275-5850 or use the contact form on this page.