Department of Serology

This procedure has been recommended by Dr. Catherine Pitman, a Clinical Microbiologist, following a study she conducted to determine the best specimen collection method for optimum detection of respiratory viruses.

Two specimens are collected (one nose, one throat) and these are then combined in the laboratory for testing.

1. MATERIALS

• 2 viral culture swabs
• Personal protective equipment for the Health Care Worker (HCW): gloves, splash glasses, hand wash or disinfectant

2. SITE

• Need a wall that the patient can rest their head against when patient stands or sits
• HCW needs enough space to be able to stand beside the patient (not in front)
• Need to have hand washing facilities or hand disinfectant

3. PREPARE PATIENT AND HCW

• Explain the procedure to the patient
• Ensure the HCW is protected: placement (beside the patient), hygiene, gloves,  splash glasses

4. SPECIMEN COLLECTION

Nasal swab

1.       Stand at the side of the patient

2.       Ensure the head is resting against the wall

3.       Place a hand on the forehead (non-dominant hand) and the thumb at the tip of the nose

4.       Use a viral culture swab and insert the swab into the closest nostril horizontally, approximately 3 cm

5.       Place lateral pressure on the swab in order to collect cells from the midline nasal plate

6.       Rotate the swab twice (2 x 360° turns) collecting the epithelial cells (not mucous)

7.       Place swab directly in the tube, label tube with patient name, collection date and source (nose)

Throat swab

1.       Stand at the side of the patient

1.       Ensure the head is resting against the wall

2.       Place a hand on the forehead (non-dominant hand)

3.       Ask the patient to open their mouth widely and say ‘argh’

4.       Use a viral culture swab and insert the swab into mouth avoiding any saliva

5.       Place lateral pressure on the swab in order to collect cells from the faucal pillars at the side of the pharynx

6.       Rotate the swab twice (2 x 360° turns) collecting the epithelial cells (not mucous)

7.       Place swab directly in the tube, label tube with patient name, collection date and source (throat)

5. Request Form

Complete a request form with patient details, date of collection, clinical history (including date of onset of symptoms) and request ‘Influenza virus’.