Respiratory Viruses PCR

Patient Preparation

For general aspects of taking respiratory samples we recommend that users follow either their local protocols or “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures”.

 Sputum

Ask patient to take three deep breaths in through their nose, exhale through pursed lips and then force a deep cough. Ask patient to expectorate into a 20ml white top sterile sample container.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL)

BAL should be collected according to local protocols using sterile fluids as the instillate. Recovered lavage fluid should be aseptically transferred to a 20ml white top sterile sample container

Nasopharyngeal Aspirate (NPA)

NPA should be collected according to local protocols using sterile fluids as the instillate. Recovered mucus/fluid should sent in a 20ml white top sterile sample container or other well sealed sterile container.

Nasopharyngeal wash: vacuum-assisted (trap) aspirate method

Nasopharyngeal wash should be collected according to local protocols using sterile fluids as the instillate. Recovered mucus/fluid should sent in a 20ml white top sterile sample container or other well sealed sterile container.

Nose and throat swabs for virology / molecular tests

Use a green topped virology transport medium kit (labelled as Green Top Sigma-VIROCULT swab).

Throat: Ask patient to sit upright facing a strong light, tilt head backwards, open mouth and stick out tongue. Depress tongue with a spatula. Ask patient to say ‘Ah’. Quickly but gently roll the swab over the tonsils and posterior pharynx

Nose: Ask patient to tilt head backwards. Insert swab inside the anterior nares with the tip directed upwards and gently rotate.

Place the swab(s) in the transport liquid and snap off the swab shaft at the score line so it fits into the sample pot. Close the cap tightly and label with patient information. Label as “nose”, “throat” or “nose and throat”