Nasal swabs came away from COVID-19 with an unfavorable reputation among patients — their deep insertion into the nasal cavity evoking memories of pain, flinching, gagging and watery eyes for many. In response, MedCity News tapped Michael Wadman, MD, FACEP, to provide insights on potential causes of decreased testing volumes and how this impacts virus containment.
In the article, Dr. Wadman outlined how and why nasal swabs became the default sampling method during the pandemic; dove into the data behind swab-induced injuries and complications; and offered solutions for future outbreaks in the form of evolved nasal lavage.
Evolved nasal lavage devices like MicroWash, he explained, offer a range of benefits for diverse user groups. This method essentially eliminates patient injuries and anxieties, while removing variability in technique for providers and delivering up to 49% higher-sensitivity samples for labs.
As healthcare leaders consider future outbreak preparedness, Dr. Wadman encouraged the adoption of nasal lavage as a swab-superior alternative that strikes an ideal balance between comfort, sensitivity and scalability.
Dr. Wadman, MD, FACEP, is a veteran emergency physician with 30+ years of clinical experience who holds tenured professor and endowed chair positions at University of Nebraska Medical Center and is the Medical Director of the National Quarantine Unit, the only federally supported unit in the U.S. His emergency medicine and infectious disease experience drive medical excellence in device development for University Medical Devices.
