Participant Resources

Povidone Iodine Nasal Decontamination

If you have questions please call us at (608) 262-6560.

If you are also collecting the nasal swab: collect the nasal swab before applying the povidone iodine.

Aim to apply the povidone iodine every 12 hours.  If you miss a dose, just apply it as soon as possible.  The povidone iodine swab stick can still be applied to the naris even if you have a cold or runny nose.

Opening the povidone iodine tube

1. Hold applicator tube between thumb and forefinger at blue band with tube in vertical position with tip/handle up.  With the other hand, place thumb and forefinger at base of handle (“thumb to-thumb”).
   • In vertical position with tip up, swab stick can be gently tapped against a hard surface to push any excess solution to bottom of swab stick tube
   • Hold at mid-torso level, not by face
2. Bend and snap open along break line
   • Break at “score line” (upper ridge) above blue band.
   • First snap of swab stick should be outward away from you
3. Bend and snap in opposite direction to disconnect swab stick
4. Remove swab stick from tube. Discard tube
   • After removing swab stick, do not place back into tube.  Swab stick is pre-saturated with the correct amount of solution at time of removal.  Placing swab stick back into tube can cause solution to splash.  Discard swab stick tube.

Applying povidone iodine to nostril

1. (1st Nostril): Gently insert one PI-saturated swab stick into the nostril.
   • With slight pressure, gently move the PI-saturated swab stick in a circular motion along the nasal wall (covering all surfaces) for at least 15 seconds.  Discard used swab stick.
2. (2nd Nostril):  Use a second new, unused PI-saturated swab stick to repeats (first process) on the second naris.
   • With slight pressure, gently move the second PI-saturated swab stick in a circular motion along the nasal wall (covering all surfaces) for at least 15 seconds.  Discard used swab stick

There will be a temporary brown stain inside the nasal passages post-application.  If PI solution runs down from nostril, you may blot the end of your nose with tissue.

If you experience a mild reaction when applying the PI, please fill out the study Adverse Event (AE) form.  If you experience a modterate or severe reaction, please discontinue use, fill out the AE form and contact the study coordinator at(608) 262-6560.

Seek medical attention if needed.

Nasal Swab Collection

If you have questions please call the coordinators at (608) 262-6560 or the laboratory at (608) 263-6962.  If you are shipping your supplies please also view the Shipping Instructions tab.

Materials

• Molecular transport media tube
• Orange study label
• Nasal swab with red breakpoint
• Biohazard bag
• Ice Pack
• Insulated transport cooler

Instructions

1. Free ice pack at least 8 hours prior to transport
2.  Wash hands
3. Loosen the clear transport tube cap to make it easier to insert the nasal swab later.  Peel open the swab pouch as indictated by the diagram on the outside of the package.
   • Be careful never to touch the end of the swab to any surface other than your nares
4. Tilt your head back 70 degrees and insert the dry swab tip into the widest part (about 2 cm inside) of right or left nostril until resistance is met.  Rotate the swab 4-5 times, for 10-15 seconds.
5. Use the same swab from the first nostril to swab the other nostril
6. Without touching the end of the swab to any surface:
   • Twist to fully remove the clear cap from the transport tube.
   • Insert the swab into transport tube, and gently break the swab handle at the part where the swab handle begins to widen by bending the swab back and forth along the transport tube edge.
     • If the swab breaks at red breakpoint, that is ok.  Please continue to work the swab until it breaks into a size that will fit in the tube with cap on
   • Secure the transport tube cap.
   • Record date of collection on the label.  The subject code will be pre-entered on the label by study staff.  Do not record any protected health information on tube.
   • Place transport tube in biohazard bag.
   • If needed, blot nose with tissue.
7. Store the collected swab inside the transport tube and biohazard bag, in the refrigerator (not freezer) until ready to ship.  At that point, place teh swab in the provided insulated cooler with frozen ice pack.
8. If dropping off samples in person, please place swabs in the provided cooler outside the Infectious Disease Research Lab (H4/663) and ring the doorbell to notify staff of drop-off.  Research staff will pick up samples Monday-Friday.
9. If Mailing in your sample, please refer to the SHIELD Shipping Instructions.

Samples must be received by research staff within 72 hours of collection.  If you are mailing your samples, please mail according to instructions within 48 hours of collection.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHIPPING SWAB SPECIMENS

The following items should be in your shipping kit:

• • • • 1 Cardboard Box, containing insulated cooler
      • 1 absorbent yellow pad
      • 1 Ice Pack
      • 1 UPS Label attached to outside of cardboard shipper
      • 1 Packing Slip attached to lid of insulated cooler

1. Immediately remove the ice pack from your kit and place in freezer until frozen solid (approx. 8 hours).
2. Ensure the cap of the swab transport tube is tightly secured to avoid any leaking during transport and that date of collection has been recorded on the provided label. Ensure specimen label is also affixed to the transport tube.
3. Ensure swab specimen is in provided plastic biohazard bag and that the bag is sealed tightly.
4. Remove lid from insulated cooler.
5. Place the frozen ice pack in the bottom of the insulated cooler.
6. Place the swab specimen (inside biohazard bag) into the insulated cooler.
7. Replace lid on insulated cooler.
8. Ensure insulated cooler is placed inside cardboard box.  Fold down flaps on the outer cardboard box.  Use a single piece of tape to secure the flaps to the box.
9. Drop off the package at the closest UPS location as soon as possible after packaging the specimen. Please DO NOT drop off on a Friday.  The label will bill the study directly.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Research Coordinator, Kendra Haight, at (608) 262-6560 or the Laboratory at (608) 263-6962.