As upper respiratory infections continue to strain healthcare systems — and testing protocols face increased scrutiny as a result — Michael C. Wadman, MD, FACEP, recently authored an article for Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare outlining why specimen collection methods must adapt to meet today’s diagnostic demands.
Although nasal swabs were widely adopted during the pandemic, Dr. Wadman explained, they presented significant limitations for patients and providers. Challenges surrounding inconsistent swabbing techniques, false negative rates and testing aversion proved greatly detrimental to public health.
Offering a market-ready solution, he highlighted the clinical advantages of evolved nasal lavage devices like MicroWash, which offer improved safety, greater comfort and higher sample sensitivity for PCR testing. This alternative method combats the cons of nasal swabs while supporting more scalable lab workflows and better outbreak preparedness.
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.
