Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the clinical application effect of an improved nasopharyngeal swab sampling method for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing. A total of 100 nasopharyngeal swab samplers were randomly divided into two groups: a control group using the conventional sitting position method and a study group employing a lying position method combined with a protective face shield. The sensitivity scores and levels of patient cooperation were compared between the two groups. Results showed that the mean patient cooperation scores were 6.90 ± 1.23 in the control group and 8.25 ± 0.56 in the study group, indicating significantly better performance in the study group (p < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions, including nausea, sneezing, and coughing, was also lower in the study group (1 case of nausea, 0 cases of sneezing, and 1 case of coughing) compared to the control group (3 cases of nausea, 2 cases of sneezing, and 2 cases of coughing; p < 0.05). Furthermore, safety and psychological assessments revealed that patients in the study group had lower fear and perceived exposure scores than those in the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the improved nasopharyngeal swab sampling method for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing demonstrated enhanced effectiveness and patient comfort, making it a suitable approach for preliminary screening.
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