Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Importance
Adequate sampling of the nasopharynx is crucial to performing accurate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) testing. Formalized education of nasal anatomy may improve provider testing technique and reduce false-negative test results.Objective
To assess the effect of nasal anatomy education on medical providers' comfort level and knowledge base in performing accurate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) testing.Study design
Pre-post survey.Settings
Tertiary care academic hospital.Participants
17 nurses performing COVID testing were enrolled.Intervention
An educational session on COVID nasopharyngeal testing technique and nasal anatomy was presented by an otolaryngologist.Main outcomes and measures
A pre-session survey assessed providers' prior nasal testing training and COVID testing challenges. Provider comfort level with COVID testing was surveyed pre-and post-session. A 6-question nasal anatomy test was administered pre- and post-session.Results
16 out of 17 nurses performed fewer than 10 COVID tests prior to the educational session (94%). Reported challenges with COVID testing included patient discomfort (79.6%), inability to pass the test swab (23.5%) and nasal bleeding (11.8%). The number of providers comfortable with independently performing COVID testing increased from pre- to post-session (5 and 14, p = 0.013). The average number of correct responses to the 6-question nasal anatomy test increased following the session (3.2 ± 1.2 to 5.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.003). Specifically, the number of providers able to localize the nasopharynx increased from 8 providers pre-session to 14 providers post-session (p = 0.04).Conclusion
Early implementation of nasal anatomy and nasopharyngeal swab technique education can help improve provider comfort and knowledge in performing accurate COVID testing.
SUBMITTER: Li L
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7581395 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan - Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
American journal of otolaryngology 20201022 1
<h4>Importance</h4>Adequate sampling of the nasopharynx is crucial to performing accurate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) testing. Formalized education of nasal anatomy may improve provider testing technique and reduce false-negative test results.<h4>Objective</h4>To assess the effect of nasal anatomy education on medical providers' comfort level and knowledge base in performing accurate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) testing.<h4>Study design</h4>Pre-post survey.<h4>Settings</h4>Tertiary care academic hospital.<h4>Parti ...[more]