11/13/24, 7\:25 PM Guide | Oropharyngeal swab

Oropharyngeal swab

Table of contents

Background

This guide provides an overview of performing an oropharyngeal swab for the purposes of viral sample collection (e.g. COVID-
19) in an OSCE setting. It does not include details on the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required, which is
pathogen dependent (see our guide to PPE).
It should be noted that this guide only provides a general approach to sample collection and the details regarding storage
medium and transport vary depending on the pathogen being tested for. You should always consult your local guidelines
before taking a sample from a patient.

Gather equipment

Gather the relevant equipment for the procedure\:
Gloves and other appropriate PPE.
Flexible plastic oropharyngeal swab.
Tongue depressor.
Specimen tube containing universal transport medium.
Oropharyngeal swab tips for the purposes of viral sample collection must be synthetic. Cotton or calcium alginate tipped
swabs can kill viral particles and/or interfere with PCR testing.
Only swabs with

Introduction

Wash your hands and don PPE.
Introduce yourself to the patient including your name and role.
Con
Brie
be uncomfortable and will likely elicit a gag re
Gain consent to proceed with performing an oropharyngeal swab.
Ask the patient if they have any pain before continuing with the clinical procedure.
Position the patient sitting comfortably on a chair or bed.

Oropharyngeal swab

1. With the patient seated, ask them to open their mouth wide, stick their tongue out and say
"ahhh"
.
2. Depress the patient's tongue using a tongue depressor.
3. Insert the oropharyngeal swab, avoiding touching the teeth, tongue and other structures.
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4. Collect the sample from the oropharyngeal wall, twisting the swab slowly and thoroughly to increase the likelihood of
collecting an adequate sample.
5. Remove the oropharyngeal swab.
6. Insert the oropharyngeal swab into the tube of universal transport medium, ensuring that the swab tip is fully submerged
into the liquid of the tube.
7. Snap o
submerged in the tube's liquid.
8. Label the sample with the patient's name, date of birth and unique identi
9. Appropriately package the specimen for transport to the lab.
10. Arrange for transport of the specimen within an appropriate time frame.
Oropharyngeal swab

To complete the procedure...

Explain to the patient that the procedure is now complete.
Thank the patient for their time.
O
Dispose of PPE appropriately and wash your hands.
Document the details of the procedure in the patient's notes\:
Your personal details including your name, job role and GMC number.
The date and time the procedure was performed.
Con
The indication for performing an oropharyngeal swab.
Any complications that occurred during the procedure.
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References

1. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. InLINK]
2. World Health Organisation. WHO guidelines for the collection of human specimens for laboratory diagnosis of avian in
infection. Published 12th January 2005. Available from\: [LINK]
Source\: geekymedics.com
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