How to Obtain a Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimen
Christy McRae-Siebenbrodt, Hans L. Tillmann, Christopher J Hostler
Abstract
How to Obtain a Nasopharyngeal Swab SpecimenTo the Editor: The appropriate procedure for obtaining a nasopharyngeal swab specimen, as shown in the video by Marty et al. (published on April 17 at NEJM.org), 1 is of paramount importance.Proper collection of a specimen for virus detection, which is essential to minimize false negative results, depends on the expertise and training of the person who is performing the procedure. 2 During the Covid-19 pandemic, health care workers from various hospital departments have been redirected to other departments in order to provide enough staff.Non-otolaryngologists who are assigned to collect nasopharyngeal specimens may not be familiar with nasal anatomy.To overcome the lack of anatomical knowledge and skills, various videos and illustrations have been published.However, some of them have provided the wrong directions for accessing the nasopharynx. 3 We think that the most easily understandable and correct approach for this procedure is to insert the swab and direct it from the nasal ala toward the earlobe 4 ; this follows the direction of the floor of the nasal fossa (Fig. 1).This technique, which is used in our daily practice as otolaryngologists during nasal packing for epistaxis, may improve the quality of specimen collection, especially if nurses or other persons who are not ear, nose, and throat specialists are obtaining the sample.