|
Combined CDC and NEJM Guideline for Collection of Nasopharyngeal Specimen
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Clear Nasal Passages
|
Head Placement
|
Angle of Swab Insertion
|
Depth of Swab Insertion
|
Swab Rotation
|
Swab Left in Place
|
Swab Removal
|
Swab Handling
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Alberta [21]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | ✓ |
British Columbia [22]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ |
Manitoba [23]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ |
New Brunswick [19]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ |
Newfoundland and Labrador [24]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ |
Northwest Territories [21]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | ✓ |
Nova Scotia [25]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ |
Nunavut [26]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | | | ✓ |
Ontario [27]
| | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Prince Edward Island [28]
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ |
Quebec [29]
| | | | | ✓ | | | ✓ |
Saskatchewan [30]
| | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ |
Yukon Territory [31]
| ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | | ✓ |
- Clear nasal passages – patient is instructed to blow their nose or the provider clears excess mucous prior to the swab; Head placement – tilted slightly back (i.e. at 70°); Angle of swab insertion – Parallel to palate along nasal floor; Depth of swab insertion – equal to at least approximately two-thirds the distance between the patient’s nose and ear; Swab rotation – the swab should be rotated several times at correct depth; Swab left in place – swab should be left at the nasopharynx for several seconds to absorb secretions; Swab removal – swab should be rotated while it is slowly removed; Specimen handling - tip of swab is to be placed into sterile viral transport media tube and the applicator stick is snapped or cut off