Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
Appendix 3 - Viral Nose and Throat Swabs Procedure
Equipment
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Completed Microbiology Laboratory Request Form- request respiratory viral
screen
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Surgical Face Mask, Eye Protection (if
required) Disposable Apron and Non Sterile Vinyl Gloves
Viral Swab Kit containing 2 swabs and specimen container with transport
medium
Wooden Spatula
Nose swab collection:
1. Position patient by an appropriate light source
2. Decontaminate hands
3. Put on PPE – 1st APRON 2nd MASK 3rd EYE PROTECTION
4th GLOVES
4. Swab inside the back of the nose - the area each side of the nasal septum
using the stainless steel shaft swab
5. Rotate the swab slightly several times
6. Immediately put swab into specimen container
Throat swab collection:
7. Using the wooden spatula depress patients tongue
8. Quickly but gently rub the plastic shaft swab over the pillars of the fauces (area
between uvula and in front of the tonsils)
9. Avoid touching any other area of the mouth or tongue
Influenza Policy
December 2014
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Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
10. After the procedure place swab immediately into specimen container and into the
pre-completed laboratory request form
11. Remove PPE - 1st GLOVES 2nd APRON (WASH HANDS) 3rd EYE
PROTECTION 4th MASK
12. Dispose of PPE into foot operated pedal waste bin
13. Immediately decontaminate hands
Influenza Policy
December 2014
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