Research leads to recommendation for rapid test swabbing

Nova Scotia Public Health now recommends Nova Scotians using rapid tests swab both their throat and nose when collecting their sample. This is based on research led by Nova Scotia Health's microbiology team, it says in a media release.

“Nova Scotia researchers have determined that collecting samples from both the throat and nose provides a more accurate rapid test result than a nose swab alone, which is the instruction provided by the manufacturer,” the release reads.

Public Health is working to update the current testing instructions that people receive when they pick up a rapid test. Public Health is advising that if only one location of the sample is being used, it should be the nasal swab, as the throat swab alone is not as effective as the nasal swab. But if you are using both, do the throat first and then the nose.

Nova Scotia is the first to report research results supporting a combined throat/ nose collection method for self-administered rapid antigen tests. With recent public discussion theorizing that a combined sample may produce more accurate results, the microbiology lab completed a quality project to test this theory.

“Collaboration with volunteer-based community rapid testing sites was key to the project's success and allowed the project to rapidly answer a question that many jurisdictions

“Nova Scotia researchers have determined that collecting samples from both the throat and nose provides a more accurate rapid test result than a nose swab alone, which is the instruction provided by the manufacturer.” Nova Scotia Public Health

across the country have been asking,” reads a media release. “Through the volunteer's efforts, the team was able to collect samples and perform a quality review of the procedure and outcomes.”

According to Nova Scotia Health, the investigation compared results of a common rapid take-home test using three sample sites: nasal swab; throat swab and; combined nasal/throat. All results were confirmed with PCR testing. Compared to PCR test results, samples from nasal or throat swabs each detected 64.5 per cent of cases. However, combining the nose and throat swabs increased sensitivity to 88.7 per cent.

“These types of projects are instrumental in testing anecdotal reports of new collection methods that are different from the manufacturers' approved collection recommendations. Projects like this are critical in our response to COVID-19,” said Dr. Todd Hatchette, Chief, Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Nova

Scotia Health.

“This data now supports the option of using a combined throat/nasal swab to enhance detection of Omicron. It can be used to inform community practice and increase confidence for those making swabbing recommendations to various stakeholders and users.”

This innovative quality research project has been submitted for publication. Nova Scotia Health is acknowledging the authors of this project: Barbara L Goodall and doctors Jason J LeBlanc, Todd Hatchette, Lisa Barrett and Glenn Patriquin for creating this project and providing early evidence to questions being asked across the country.

“Our volunteers have been the backbone of the community COVID testing innovation through the entire pandemic. We couldn't do any of this unique work without them over the last years,” said Barbara Goodall, Research and Implementation Lead for Community-Led Testing.