UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital or UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital Clinical Laboratory - Molecular Diagnostics

For testing at HRH: Nasal swab (preferred) or nasopharyngeal swab submitted in viral transport media (common types: sterile PBS, M6, M4-RT). Orophrayngeal and other alternate sources cannot be tested at HRH (see remarks), but can go to UCH for routine testing (not STAT).

For testing at UCH: Nasal swab/orophrayngeal swab (preferred) or nasopharyngeal swab submitted in viral transport media (common types: sterile PBS, M6, M4-RT). 

Do NOT use e-swabs, wood-shafted or calcium alginate swabs.
Specimen source must be on order or requisition.

Example: NP swab in M6 media.

Specimen not properly identified; incorrect swab; incorrect media; contaminated specimen; improper storage conditions; specimen submitted in fixative; specimen sources not identified above as acceptable.

Internal: Deliver to lab immediately.
Offsite: Transport refrigerated or on ice if possible. Transport same day. If delivery is not expected within 24 hours, freeze at -70 degreees C and ship on dry ice.

Ambient: 5 days; Refrigerated (2-8 degrees C): 7 days; Frozen (-70 degees C): 6 months.

Alternate source testing performed at UCH (nasal wash, nasal aspirate, tracheal aspirate, BAL, sputum) must be ordered as "COVID-19 alternate source testing". Contact UCH Molecular Department.