Goal: An uncontaminated specimen is obtained without injury to the patient and sent to the laboratory promptly.
1. Bring necessary equipment to the bedside stand or overbed table. Check the expiration date on the swab package.
2. Perform hand hygiene and put on PPE, if indicated.
3. Identify the patient. Discuss with the patient the need for a nasal swab. Explain to the patient the process by which the specimen will be collected.
4. Check specimen label with patient identification bracelet. Label should include patient’s name and identification number, time specimen was collected, route of collection, identification of the person obtaining the sample, and any other information required by agency policy.
5. Close curtains around bed or close the door to the room, if possible.
6. Put on nonsterile gloves.
7. Ask the patient to tip his or her head back. Assist as necessary.
8. Peel open the swab packaging to expose the swab and collection tube. Remove the white plug from the collection tube and discard. Remove the swab from packaging by
grasping the exposed end. Take care not to contaminate the swab by touching it to any other surface. Moisten with sterile water, depending on facility policy.
9. Insert swab 2 cm into one naris and rotate against the anterior nasal mucosa for 3 seconds or five rotations, depending on facility policy.
10. Remove the swab and repeat in the second naris, using the same swab.
11. Insert the swab fully into the collection tube, taking care not to touch any other surface. The handle end of the swab should fit snugly into the collection tube.
12. Dispose of used equipment per facility policy. Remove gloves. Perform hand hygiene.
13. Place label on the collection tube per facility policy. Place container in plastic, sealable biohazard bag.
14. Remove other PPE, if used. Perform hand hygiene.
15. Transport specimen to the laboratory immediately. If immediate transport is not possible, check with laboratory personnel or policy manual whether refrigeration is
contraindicated.
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