NPSOPS SPECIMEN COLLECTION, Summaries of Medicine

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Collection of Oropharyngeal

and Nasopharyngeal Swabs for

Respiratory Infections

PRINCIPLES

 (^) The success of respiratory viral detection depends largely on the quality of the Oropharyngeal Swab and Nasopharyngeal Swab specimens and the condition during transport and storage  (^) NPS and OPS are the preferred specimens  (^) Two specimens are required to maximize sensitivity for detecting viruses, therefore, collecting combined NPS and OPS specimens would be the most effective approach

 Only sterile Dacron, Rayon, or flocked tip swabs with plastic shafts shall be used  Flocked swabs shall be used for NPS collection because it comprise of many thousands of perpendicularly sprayed on short nylon fibers to the tip of an applicator, thus it collect more sample than traditional swabs, and very efficiently release the sample when in contact with liquid.

Preparations Before Collection

 Get the UTM from the refrigerator or storage not

exceeding 25 ˚C. If the collection site is far from a

refrigerator, have a thermo bag with four (4) to six (6)

frozen ice packs at hand to maintain a refrigerated

temperature during collection.

 (^) Label the UTM tube using a marking pen with the Patient’s Full Name, age, gender, specimen type and date and time of collection. The information on the label must be legible. Labels must remain attached under all conditions of storage and transport.



Check the integrity of

the swab’s and tongue

depressor’s pouches to

ensure sterility. Do not

use swabs with

discoloration, brittle

shaft and broken seal.

Likewise, do not use

tongue depressors

which have been

exposed for a period of

time.

1. With the patient seated, tilt the head slightly backwards. Insert the swab to the nostril up to the determined depth. The swab should be introduced at the inferomedial aspect of the nostril (i.e., at the base and near the nasal septum) and parallel to the palate

3. Rotate the swab 2 to 3 times applying a little force.

4. Repeat the procedure in the other nostril using the same swab (if

possible).

5. Place the nasopharyngeal swab immediately in the UTM tube.

6. Break the shaft at the breakpoint and close the cap tightly.

7. Secure the cap with laboratory sealing film to prevent leakage

during transport.

8. Put the UTM tube with the specimens in a test tube rack to keep

the specimens in upright position and immediately place in a

thermo box containing 4 to 6 frozen ice packs to maintain the

viability of the specimens.

1. Apply a little force, taking large quantities of mucosal cells as viruses are intracellular.
2. Place the swab immediately in the same UTM tube containing the nasopharyngeal swab.
3. Cut at the end of the swab that sticks out of the tube and close the tube tightly.
4. Secure the cap with laboratory sealing film to prevent leakage during transport