ebp rsv collection

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We currently are trying to change policy on RSV collection. Over the years we have gotten away from the old cut tip saline lavage pull with syringe method and have gone to using ETT suction caths into Lukey sputum traps. This is much gentle and sterile on part of patient. But of course as with anything else- i need some evidence to support that this is appropriate to do. Any help out there?

thanks

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Can't help you with that. We do nasopharyngeal swabs for viruses. The kit comes with a very (long) flexible swab and a culture medium vial. The swab is scored to break off just at the opening of the vial so the collector never touches that part of the collection. Then the cap goes on and off it goes to the lab. But let me see what I can find about aspirates.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

This abstract compares specificity and sensitivity of nasal swab (our method) to nasopharyngeal aspirate (your current method). http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/90/6/634 You can download the full text from them and registration is free.

This article is very current, August 2008. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579603 It contradicts the first one! And here is a link to the actual journal article: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/peds.2008-0691v1

Hope it helps.

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