The correct usage method of flocked swabs

1、 General Operating Standards
Aseptic operation
Wash hands and wear gloves before use, tear open the individual packaging and remove the swab to avoid touching the head of the swab with your hands.
If wet samples (such as oral mucosa) need to be processed, sterile water can be dripped onto one side of the swab while keeping the other side dry to improve adsorption efficiency.
2、 Sampling steps for different parts
Oral/oropharyngeal sampling
The patient tilts their head slightly, opens their mouth wide and makes an “ah” sound, revealing the posterior pharyngeal wall and tonsils.
Wipe the swab over the base of the tongue and up and down the posterior pharyngeal wall and tonsil recess 3-5 times with moderate force.
After sampling, place the swab head vertically into the virus storage tube, break the rod according to the position of the break point, and seal it.
Nasal/Nasopharyngeal Sampling
The patient tilts their head back and the swab slowly penetrates 1-1.5 centimeters along the lower nasal passage to the posterior wall of the nasopharynx.
Gently rotate the swab 3-5 times (the nasopharyngeal swab should stay for 5 seconds) to ensure the adhesion of mucosal cells.
After removal, place it vertically in a storage tube, break it and seal it for inspection.
Gynecological cervical sampling
The patient stands, raises one leg to maintain balance, and slowly inserts the swab into the vagina to the cervix (about 7-10 centimeters).
Rotate the swab 4-5 times in one direction after pressing against the cervix, with moderate force (to avoid bleeding or insufficient cell count).
After sampling, place the swab head in cell preservation solution and break the seal.
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3、 Preservation and Sample Processing
Samples containing preservation solution should be refrigerated (4 ℃) within 4 hours, with a maximum storage time of 72 hours; Long term storage requires freezing (-70 ℃).
When breaking the swab, align it with the painted mark to avoid contamination or liquid leakage.
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4、 Precautions
Avoid contamination: After sampling, the swab should not come into contact with other objects, and the storage tube should be sealed immediately.
Force control: Avoid excessive force during rotation (such as preventing bleeding during nasal sampling).
Special scenario: The antigen detection kit swabs need to be stored away from light (2-30 ℃), and freezing is prohibited.
(Note: The operation must strictly follow medical standards, and self sampling is recommended to be carried out under the guidance of professional personnel.)