Nasopharyngeal and throat swab for detection of respiratory infection

Nasopharyngeal and throat swab for detection of respiratory infection

Nasopharyngeal swab is the first choice for rapid detection of respiratory virus antigen (DFA) and pertussis

*Swab Description:

① Nasopharynx swab has a white plastic handle of three different thicknesses with a “hairy” or fluffy tip at the end.

② There is a deep notch () in the thicker part of the shaft, which can be clamped into the transport medium container. There is no need to use sterile scissors for cutting (see Figure). Each swab is individually packaged and labeled “sterile swab”

*Collection of nasopharyngeal swabs (NP)

Assemble all supplies such as gloves, masks, pens, appropriate collection tools including provlab requisition, nasopharynx bag

*Swabs and delivery media

① Check the validity period of transportation medium.

② Wash your hands with soap and water, or wipe them with alcohol.

③ Wear protective glasses and gloves if necessary.

④ , have the patient sit in a chair or lie in bed – raise the head of the bed and tilt their head back (see photo).

⑤ Swab nasal mucosa with cotton swab or cotton swab

*How deep is the NP swab inserted into the nasopharynx? Measure the distance from the corner of the nose to the front of the ear

① Insert only half the length of the shaft. In adults, this distance is usually about 4 cm (the thinnest swab axis thickness).

② For children, the distance is smaller. Tilt the patient’s head back slightly (about 70 degrees) so that the passage is from the front of the nose to the nasopharynx to facilitate the insertion of the swab.

③ Gently move the swab along the inner part of the diaphragm, along the nose, until it reaches the nostril behind the nose – gently rotate the swab. (if resistance is encountered on one side, try the other side of the nostril, e.g. the patient may have a deviated diaphragm).

④ Then the swab was removed several times.

Caution – swab insertion usually causes coughing.

⑤ Put the NP swab into the transport medium so that it does not protrude from the edge of the container. Failure to do so will result in leakage of the conveying medium and discarding of the sample.

⑥ Make sure the container cover is tight.

⑦ Remove and discard gloves. Wash your hands with soap and water, or wipe them with alcohol. If the gloves are contaminated, throw them away.

⑧ Follow the label and shipping instructions given in the collection kit insert.

*Throat swab collection (TS)

Assemble all supplies such as gloves, masks, pens, appropriate collection tools including provlab requisitions, throat swabs and transport media.

*Check the validity of the transport medium.

① Wash your hands with soap and water, or wipe them with alcohol.

② Wear gloves and mask (and goggles if necessary or likely to splash).

③ Use the plastic spindle swab in the toolbox to wipe the tonsil area at the back of throat.

④ Put the swab into the transport medium and disconnect the shaft so that it does not protrude from the edge of the container.

⑤ Otherwise, the conveying medium will leak and the sample will be discarded.

⑥ Make sure the container cover is tight.

⑦ Remove and discard gloves. Wash your hands with soap and water, or wipe them with alcohol.

⑧ . remove and discard the mask. If the hand contacts, repeat the hand part.

Nasopharyngeal and throat swab for detection of respiratory infection