Mantacc's Recommendations for Break Point Design and Testing of Nasal Swabs

The proper design and functionality of break points in nasal swabs represents a critical aspect of clinical specimen collection safety and efficiency. Healthcare facilities face a consistent challenge in specimen collection: the necessary length of swabs for safe sampling versus the practical limitations of transport tube dimensions. Standard nasopharyngeal swabs measure 150-160mm in length, providing healthcare workers sufficient distance from patients during sample collection. However, the transport tubes used to send these samples to laboratories are considerably shorter, typically ranging from 80 to 118mm.

To address this dimensional mismatch, nasal swabs incorporate a break point feature that allows them to be shortened after sample collection. This design element serves two essential purposes: ensuring proper fit within transport tubes and preventing inclusion of the handled portion of the swab in the patient sample. Industry standard transport tubes come in various lengths, commonly ranging from 80mm to 118mm, with each size serving specific clinical needs while maintaining sample integrity.

The recommended testing procedure follows a carefully structured approach, prioritizing manufacturer-provided Instructions For Use (IFU). When specific instructions aren't available, we recommend a standardized method: the transport tube should be held in the non-dominant hand while the swab is grasped with the dominant hand. The swab's break point should align with the tube's edge, and the handle should be bent downward against the side of the tube until breakage occurs. While multiple bending attempts may be necessary, successful completion requires that the tube can be properly capped and sealed with the broken swab inside.

Quality assessment should include evaluation of specific failure modes to ensure consistent performance across different swab designs. A swab design should be considered inadequate if it cannot be broken after multiple attempts, if the swab tip ejects from the tube during the breaking process, or if the tube cannot be properly sealed with the swab inside. Additionally, swabs that buckle at points other than the designated break point indicate a design flaw that requires attention.

Testing procedures should incorporate practical considerations for both laboratory and clinical settings. While the same transport tube may be used for multiple swab tests during quality evaluation (with transport fluid removed), it is essential to emphasize that gloves are mandatory for actual clinical use. This distinction helps maintain efficiency during testing while ensuring proper safety protocols for clinical applications.

Comprehensive documentation should form an integral part of quality testing, including records of the number of bending attempts needed for successful breakage, any failures encountered, and confirmation of proper tube sealing. This documentation ensures consistency and traceability in the evaluation process. These recommendations represent industry best practices for evaluating this critical functionality of nasal swabs, helping ensure reliable performance in clinical settings where proper specimen collection and transport are essential for accurate diagnostic testing. 

Mantacc Nasal/Nasopharyngeal Swab Specifications 

Learn more about Mantacc flocked nasopharyngeal sampling swabs