MANDATORY • For urine specimens, the Aptima tube should be filled between the black lines. Specimen must be placed in the tube prior to delivery to the laboratory. • For vaginal, rectal, or throat specimens, the swab used for collection must be the orange colored swab that comes with the kit.
Methodology
Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA)
Performed
Monday-Friday
Turnaround Time
24-72 hours
Reference Range
Negative
Unacceptable Conditions
Examples when the specimen will be rejected: • Unlabeled/improper label (examples: missing 2 patient identifiers; specimen label does not match requisition).
• If the initials of the phlebotomist or collector/requestor are not on the specimen tubes or specimen containers. • Specimens delayed in transport. • Specimens in expired collection/transport tubes. • Incorrect storage and/or transport (example: frozen specimens; refrigerated body fluids). • Leaking or broken collection container (specimens should be tightly sealed with no external spillage). • Dry swabs not in Aptima multitest collection container. • Tubes using Aptima Multitest collection containers where the container was sent to the lab with no swab. • Tubes containing swabs that are not from the Aptima Multitest kit. • Urine container that are filled above or below the bottom black "fill" line. • Tubes with a punctured or damaged foil cap.
Storage/Transport Temperature
• To maintain optimum pathogen detectability, prompt delivery of specimens to the laboratory is required.
• Transport specimens directly to the laboratory at room temperature (18-24°C).
• If a delay is anticipated, the specimens should be maintained at room temperature (18-24°C).
Stability (from collection to initiation)
30 days
Collection
Ordering Recommendations
This order allows you to select multiple sources in Lifechart.
Refer to Collect section below for Lifechart orders and guidance on collection of samples.
Collect
** Specimen must be placed in the tube prior to delivery to the laboratory. **
Aptima Multitest (vaginal, rectal, or throat) Swab Kit:
MANDATORY • For urine specimens, the Aptima tube should be filled between the black lines. Specimen must be placed in the tube prior to delivery to the laboratory. • For vaginal, rectal, or throat specimens, the swab used for collection must be the orange colored swab that comes with the kit.
Methodology
Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA)
Performed
Monday-Friday
Turnaround Time
24-72 hours
Reference Range
Negative
Unacceptable Conditions
Examples when the specimen will be rejected: • Unlabeled/improper label (examples: missing 2 patient identifiers; specimen label does not match requisition).
• If the initials of the phlebotomist or collector/requestor are not on the specimen tubes or specimen containers. • Specimens delayed in transport. • Specimens in expired collection/transport tubes. • Incorrect storage and/or transport (example: frozen specimens; refrigerated body fluids). • Leaking or broken collection container (specimens should be tightly sealed with no external spillage). • Dry swabs not in Aptima multitest collection container. • Tubes using Aptima Multitest collection containers where the container was sent to the lab with no swab. • Tubes containing swabs that are not from the Aptima Multitest kit. • Urine container that are filled above or below the bottom black "fill" line. • Tubes with a punctured or damaged foil cap.
Storage/Transport Temperature
• To maintain optimum pathogen detectability, prompt delivery of specimens to the laboratory is required.
• Transport specimens directly to the laboratory at room temperature (18-24°C).
• If a delay is anticipated, the specimens should be maintained at room temperature (18-24°C).
