虽然不同类型的诊断测试可用于检测冠状病毒疾病，但鼻咽拭子测试是最常见的。测试必须由训练有素的医疗保健提供商执行。如果以错误的方式收集细胞培养，则获得的诊断可能不正确。
世界卫生组织（世卫组织）建议提供者使用无菌的达克伦或人造丝拭子，并采用灵活的塑料轴进行深鼻采样。棉花、藻酸钙拭子或木棍拭子可能含有能够灭活某些病毒并抑制诊断聚合酶链反应（PCR）的化合物。以下协议描述了收集鼻咽拭子样本的正确程序。
While different types of diagnostic tests may be used to detect coronavirus disease, a nasopharyngeal swab test is the most common. A sterile dacron or rayon swab with a flexible plastic shaft should be used. Cotton, calcium alginate swabs, or swabs with wooden sticks may contain compounds that can inactivate some viruses and inhibit the diagnostic test.
Begin by escorting the patient into the examination area. Then explain the process to the patient and obtain consent to proceed. Open the swab package and remove the swab. Tilt the patient’s head back to an approximate angle of 70 degrees, which will straighten the passage from the front of the nose to the nasal pharynx. Instruct the patient to close his or her eyes, then gently insert the swab along the nasal septum until resistance is felt. Rotate the swab several times for 10 to 15 seconds to collect the sample material.
Then remove the swab and insert the sample into a collection vial containing one to three milliliters of vial transport media. Break the swab handle at the marked break point and close the vial. Label the vial with the collection date, onset date, patient age and sex, specimen type, unique identifiers, and any other pertinent patient information. Repeat the same procedure with the other nostril. Then follow the manufacturer’s instructions to store the sample and transport it to an FDA-approved diagnostic laboratory.
