The precautions for using sterilizing swabs are as follows

I. Before Operation

1. Select Appropriate Swabs
   • Select appropriate sterilizing swabs according to the testing purpose and sample type. Different swabs may target different pathogens or be suitable for different sampling sites. For example, some swabs are more suitable for throat sampling, while others are suitable for collecting microorganisms on object surfaces.
   • Check the expiration date of the swabs and ensure that swabs within the expiration date are used. Expired swabs may affect the quality of sample collection and the sterilization effect.
2. Check the Integrity of Packaging
   • Carefully check whether the packaging of the swabs is damaged, leaked, or damp. If the packaging is damaged, the swabs may be contaminated, thereby affecting the accuracy of the test results. In such cases, new swabs should be replaced.

II. During Operation

1. Avoid Contamination
   • Ensure that hands are clean when taking out the swabs and collecting samples. Operators should wear sterile gloves to prevent bacteria, viruses, etc. on their hands from contaminating the swabs or samples.
   • Do not touch the swab heads, as microorganisms on fingers may attach to the swab heads, interfering with sample collection and test results.
2. Conduct Sampling Operations in a Standardized Manner
   • When sampling human body parts, such as the throat or nose, the movements should be gentle and accurate. For example, during throat sampling, avoid inserting too deeply or using too much force to cause discomfort or even injury to the person being sampled; during nasal sampling, do not insert the swab forcibly to prevent damage to the nasal mucosa.
   • For sampling object surfaces, ensure that the swab heads fully contact the sampling sites and wipe according to specific methods and areas to ensure the collection of representative samples. Different testing standards may have specific requirements for wiping areas and methods, which need to be strictly followed.
3. Pay Attention to the Timeliness of Sterilization Characteristics
   • Although sterilizing swabs have a sterilization function, this function may have a certain timeliness. After collecting samples, the samples should be processed and transported according to the specified procedures as soon as possible to avoid the proliferation or spread of pathogens on the swabs due to long – term storage, especially when the environmental temperature is high.

III. After Operation

1. Properly Dispose of Swabs and Samples
   • Immediately place the swabs into appropriate sample – storage containers or handle them in the specified manner after sample collection. If the swabs need to be sent to the laboratory for testing, ensure the safety of the swabs during transportation to prevent damage to the swabs or leakage of samples.
   • Properly dispose of used swabs and related waste according to the regulations for medical waste or laboratory waste disposal to prevent environmental pollution and cross – infection.
2. Record Relevant Information
   • Record relevant information of sample collection in a timely and accurate manner, including collection time, location, the object being sampled (if it is a human sample), sampling site, and operator. This information is crucial for subsequent test analysis and result interpretation.