Have the patient clear their nose by blowing into a tissue. Parents or RN may help with pediatric patients. A mucus free specimen is necessary for a good sample.
Use a sterile flexible mini tip flocked ESwab collection device (BD NP ESswab with red cap tube). Moisten the swab with two drops of sterile physiological solution or use dry swab. Carefully insert the swab into the patient's right nostril. Guide the swab backward and upward along the nasal septum until a distinct "give" and resistance indicates that the posterior pharynx has been reached. If undue resistance is met, possibly due to a deviated nasal septum; rotate the swab on the nasopharyngeal membrane and allow it to remain in place for 10 or 15 seconds. Repeat the procedure with the other naris.
Place the swab into the UVT (Universal Viral Transport) media tube and identify it with patient ID.
Specimens should be kept between 5°C and 25°C during transport
Collect
Nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked minitip Eswab specimens are collected and placed into the universal viral transport media.
Nasal Swab
Nasal or Nasopharyngeal Washing collected in sterile container are also acceptable
Pediatric Collection
To collect a nasopharyngeal wash sample: a child could sit in the parent's lap facing forward, with the child's head against the parent's chest. Fill the syringe or aspiration bulb with the minimal volume of saline required per the subject's size and age. Instill the saline into one nostril while the head is tilted back. Aspirate the wash specimen back into the syringe or bulb. The aspirated wash sample will likely be approximately 1 cc in volume
Alternatively, following instillation of the saline, tilt the head forward and let the saline drain out into a clean collection cup.
Collect nasal washes in standard containers. Test as soon as possible
Storage/Transport Temperature
Specimens should be transported at 2-8 °C.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Specimens can be stored at room temperature (15-30 °C) for up to 24 hours and refrigerated (2-8 °C) up to seven days until testing is performed.
Remarks
Recent patient exposure to FluMist® or other live attenuated influenza vaccines may cause inaccurate positive results.
Have the patient clear their nose by blowing into a tissue. Parents or RN may help with pediatric patients. A mucus free specimen is necessary for a good sample.
Use a sterile flexible mini tip flocked ESwab collection device (BD NP ESswab with red cap tube). Moisten the swab with two drops of sterile physiological solution or use dry swab. Carefully insert the swab into the patient's right nostril. Guide the swab backward and upward along the nasal septum until a distinct "give" and resistance indicates that the posterior pharynx has been reached. If undue resistance is met, possibly due to a deviated nasal septum; rotate the swab on the nasopharyngeal membrane and allow it to remain in place for 10 or 15 seconds. Repeat the procedure with the other naris.
Place the swab into the UVT (Universal Viral Transport) media tube and identify it with patient ID.
Specimens should be kept between 5°C and 25°C during transport
Collect
Nasopharyngeal (NP) flocked minitip Eswab specimens are collected and placed into the universal viral transport media.
Nasal Swab
Nasal or Nasopharyngeal Washing collected in sterile container are also acceptable
Pediatric Collection
To collect a nasopharyngeal wash sample: a child could sit in the parent's lap facing forward, with the child's head against the parent's chest. Fill the syringe or aspiration bulb with the minimal volume of saline required per the subject's size and age. Instill the saline into one nostril while the head is tilted back. Aspirate the wash specimen back into the syringe or bulb. The aspirated wash sample will likely be approximately 1 cc in volume
Alternatively, following instillation of the saline, tilt the head forward and let the saline drain out into a clean collection cup.
Collect nasal washes in standard containers. Test as soon as possible
Storage/Transport Temperature
Specimens should be transported at 2-8 °C.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Specimens can be stored at room temperature (15-30 °C) for up to 24 hours and refrigerated (2-8 °C) up to seven days until testing is performed.
Remarks
Recent patient exposure to FluMist® or other live attenuated influenza vaccines may cause inaccurate positive results.
