Collect specimens as early in the illness as possible (ideally less than 4 days from illness onset).
Collect
Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab collected according to standard technique and immediately placed in viral transport media, universal transport medium, or saline.
- Refer to the NP Collection Guidelines in laboratory documents or the Laboratory Test Catalog under Influenza Detection by PCR.
Nasal Swab (anterior nares), flocked or polyester in Universal Transport Medium
Anterior nares specimen collection instructions:
Use a single swab for collecting specimens from both nares.
With a flocked or spun polyester swab, insert the swab at least 1 cm (0.5 inch) inside the nostril (naris) and firmly sample the nasal membrane by rotating the swab and leaving in place for 10 to 15 seconds.
Repeat this step with the second nostril using the same swab.
Remove swab and insert the swab into Universal transport medium.
Note:
The swab must remain in the transport medium after collection.
Minimum Volume
Preferred Volume: 3 mL UTM
Specimens collected in 1 mL UTM will be diluted to 3 mL volume.
Shipping/Handling Instructions
The swab must remain in the transport medium after collection.
Transport individually in a biohazard bag (one specimen per bag).
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerate specimens (2-8° C) and transport with cool pack.
Transported samples (in appropriate media) should be kept cool but are stable at room temperature (15-30°C) briefly while in transport.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
If storage is required, specimens can be held: Swabs in VTM or UTM:
Refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 72 hours or 3 days after collection
Frozen at -70°C and transported on dry ice.
Unacceptable Conditions
Swabs not submitted in viral transport medium (dry swabs)
Specimens without 2 patient identifiers
Cotton or Calcium alginate-tipped swab, wooden shaft swab, dry swab, or swab collection tubes containing gel or charcoal additive.
eSwabs
Remarks
Respiratory Panel by PCR is recommended for hospitalized patients - see LAB03996.
Section
Microbiology
LAB Code
LAB13481
Ordering Recommendations
This assay has been authorized by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use, without modification, by CLIA high complexity laboratories.
Patient and provider information can be found below according to the test performed:
Abbott Alinity m SARS-Cov-2 Assay: providers and patinets
Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-Cov-2 Assay: providers and patients
Link to Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 Resources https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/providers.htm
Performed
Daily (24/7)
Routine/STAT TAT
STAT: approximately 1 hour.
Routine: less than 24 hours.
Methodology
Multiplex real-time RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Reference Interval
Negative
Interpretive Data
Target organism: SARS Cov-2 (Covid-19)
As with other tests, Negative results do not preclude Covid-19 virus infection and should bot be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions.
CPT Codes
87635
LCHG
60134800
Updated/Reviewed
Reviewed 8/18/23 DJ/LC
Collection
Patient Preparation
Collect specimens as early in the illness as possible (ideally less than 4 days from illness onset).
Collect
Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab collected according to standard technique and immediately placed in viral transport media, universal transport medium, or saline.
- Refer to the NP Collection Guidelines in laboratory documents or the Laboratory Test Catalog under Influenza Detection by PCR.
Nasal Swab (anterior nares), flocked or polyester in Universal Transport Medium
Anterior nares specimen collection instructions:
Use a single swab for collecting specimens from both nares.
With a flocked or spun polyester swab, insert the swab at least 1 cm (0.5 inch) inside the nostril (naris) and firmly sample the nasal membrane by rotating the swab and leaving in place for 10 to 15 seconds.
Repeat this step with the second nostril using the same swab.
Remove swab and insert the swab into Universal transport medium.
Note:
The swab must remain in the transport medium after collection.
Minimum Volume
Preferred Volume: 3 mL UTM
Specimens collected in 1 mL UTM will be diluted to 3 mL volume.
Shipping/Handling Instructions
The swab must remain in the transport medium after collection.
Transport individually in a biohazard bag (one specimen per bag).
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerate specimens (2-8° C) and transport with cool pack.
Transported samples (in appropriate media) should be kept cool but are stable at room temperature (15-30°C) briefly while in transport.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
If storage is required, specimens can be held: Swabs in VTM or UTM:
Refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 72 hours or 3 days after collection
Frozen at -70°C and transported on dry ice.
Unacceptable Conditions
Swabs not submitted in viral transport medium (dry swabs)
Specimens without 2 patient identifiers
Cotton or Calcium alginate-tipped swab, wooden shaft swab, dry swab, or swab collection tubes containing gel or charcoal additive.
eSwabs
Remarks
Respiratory Panel by PCR is recommended for hospitalized patients - see LAB03996.
Ordering
Section
Microbiology
LAB Code
LAB13481
Ordering Recommendations
This assay has been authorized by FDA under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for use, without modification, by CLIA high complexity laboratories.
Patient and provider information can be found below according to the test performed:
Abbott Alinity m SARS-Cov-2 Assay: providers and patinets
Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-Cov-2 Assay: providers and patients
Link to Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 Resources https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/providers.htm
Performance
Performed
Daily (24/7)
Routine/STAT TAT
STAT: approximately 1 hour.
Routine: less than 24 hours.
Result Interpretation
Methodology
Multiplex real-time RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Reference Interval
Negative
Interpretive Data
Target organism: SARS Cov-2 (Covid-19)
As with other tests, Negative results do not preclude Covid-19 virus infection and should bot be used as the sole basis for treatment or other patient management decisions.
