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Table 2 Provincial differences in the depth of insertion of a nasopharyngeal swab as outlined by published provincial guidelines

From: Variability in instructions for performance of nasopharyngeal swabs across Canada in the era of COVID-19 – what type of swab is actually being performed?

Province Depth of Insertion
Alberta [21] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right. \) distance or 4 cm
British Columbia [22] 7 cm in adults
Manitoba [23] 7 cm in adults
New Brunswick [19] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$2$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \) to full distance from nostril to ear
Newfoundland and Labrador [24] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$2$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \)distance from nostril to ear
Northwest Territories [21] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right. \)distance or 4 cm
Nova Scotia [25] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2\ $}\right. \)- \( \raisebox{1ex}{$2$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \) distance from nostril to ear
Nunavut [26] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right. \)distance from nostril to ear
Ontario [27] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right. \)distance from nostril to ear
Prince Edward Island [28] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right. \)distance from nostril to ear
Quebec [29] Pictogram of nasopharynx
Saskatchewan [30] \( \raisebox{1ex}{$1$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$2$}\right. \)distance from nostril to ear
Yukon Territory [31] Distance from nose to ear
  1. Nasopharyngeal swabs must be inserted to at least approximately \( \raisebox{1ex}{$2$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$3$}\right. \) the distance between the patient’s nose to ear to effectively sample the nasopharynx
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Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery

ISSN: 1916-0216

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