PLoS ONE (Jan 2022)

Specimen self-collection for SARS-CoV-2 testing: Patient performance and preferences—Atlanta, Georgia, August-October 2020

  • Kevin O’Laughlin,
  • Catherine C. Espinosa,
  • Sarah E. Smith-Jeffcoat,
  • Mitsuki Koh,
  • George M. Khalil,
  • Adam Hoffman,
  • Paulina A. Rebolledo,
  • Marcos C. Schechter,
  • Rebekah J. Stewart,
  • Juliana da Silva,
  • Caitlin Biedron,
  • Bettina Bankamp,
  • Jennifer Folster,
  • Amy S. Gargis,
  • Michael D. Bowen,
  • Ashley Paulick,
  • Yun F. Wang,
  • Jacqueline E. Tate,
  • Hannah L. Kirking,
  • CDC Surge Diagnostic Testing Laboratory,
  • CDC COVID-19 Emergency Response GA-10 Field Team

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 3

Abstract

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Self-collected specimens can expand access to SARS-CoV-2 testing. At a large inner-city hospital 1,082 participants self-collected saliva and anterior nasal swab (ANS) samples before healthcare workers collected nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples on the same day. To characterize patient preferences for self-collection, this investigation explored ability, comfort, and ease of ANS and saliva self-collection for SARS-CoV-2 testing along with associated patient characteristics, including medical history and symptoms of COVID-19. With nearly all participants successfully submitting a specimen, favorable ratings from most participants (at least >79% in ease and comfort), and equivocal preference between saliva and ANS, self-collection is a viable SARS-CoV-2 testing option.