Fluid sample collection system and method

A method of collecting a fluid sample using a vial having a wall defining a closed end and an open end, a plunger having an elongated handle portion and a plunger head portion connected to the handle portion, and an absorbent configured to absorb and retain a fluid sample therein, with the plunger being detached from the absorbent, comprising:

• absorbing the fluid sample with the absorbent;
• inserting the absorbent into the open end of the vial;
• inserting the plunger into the open end of the vial independent of the absorbent;
• and
• moving the plunger toward the closed end of the vial to compress the absorbent into contact with the closed end of the vial to thereby express the fluid sample from the absorbent into the vial.

A method of collecting a fluid sample using a vial having a wall defining a closed end and an open end, a plunger having an elongated handle portion and a plunger head portion connected to the handle portion, and an absorbent configured to absorb and retain a fluid sample therein, with the plunger being detached from the absorbent, comprising:

• absorbing the fluid sample with the absorbent at a first location;
• inserting the absorbent into the open end of the vial at the first location;
• inserting the plunger into the open end of the vial independent of the absorbent at the first location;
• moving the plunger toward the closed end of the vial to compress the absorbent into contact with the closed end of the vial to thereby express the fluid sample from the absorbent into the vial at the first location;
• detaching the handle portion of the plunger from the plunger head portion at the first location;
• removing the handle portion of the plunger from the open end of the vial at the first location;
• sealing the open end of the vial with a cap at the first location;
• and
• shipping the sealed vial having the expressed sample contained therein to a second location remote from the first location.

A method of collecting a fluid sample using a vial having a wall defining a closed end and an open end, a plunger having an elongated handle portion and a plunger head portion connected to the handle portion, and an absorbent configured to absorb and retain a fluid sample therein, with the plunger being detached from the absorbent, comprising:

• absorbing the fluid sample with the absorbent at a first location;
• inserting the absorbent into the open end of the vial at the first location;
• sealing the open end of the vial with a cap at the first location;
• shipping the sealed vial having the absorbent contained therein to a second location remote from the first location;
• opening the sealed vial at the second location;
• inserting the plunger into the open end of the vial at the second location;
• moving the plunger toward the closed end of the vial to compress the absorbent into contact with the closed end of the vial to thereby express the fluid sample from the absorbent into the vial at the second location;
• detaching the handle portion of the plunger from the plunger head portion at the second location;
• and
• removing the handle portion of the plunger from the open end of the vial at the second location.