Cases when tests for coronavirus turn out to be false may be associated with mistakes by doctors and patients when taking an analysis. This was reported on November 9 by RBC with reference to representatives of Russian laboratories engaged in the detection of COVID-19.
The chief freelance pulmonologist of the Ministry of Health Sergei Avdeev said earlier that from 30 to 40% of tests for coronavirus are incorrect, the newspaper writes.
Medical errors
The test may be falsely negative if the nurse took a swab from the oropharynx only or from the nasopharynx only. According to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, it is prescribed to take biomaterial from both zones.
A false positive result is obtained if sterility was not observed during the procedure. Both the probes that take the swab and the tubes where the samples are placed should be ideally clean. The health worker should wear disposable gloves that have been treated with an antiseptic before taking the material.
The physician should not touch the cheeks, tongue, gums or lips with the stick when taking the test. It is necessary to collect not saliva, but cells of the upper layer of the mucous membrane.
At the end of the procedure, the upper part of the probe is placed in a test tube, break it off, holding it with a lid, and close the container. The tubes are placed in a separate package and transported in a refrigerator or thermal bag.
Patient errors
Do not eat or drink before taking a smear. It is not recommended to brush your teeth, rinse the growth, smoke and chew gum for at least an hour.
