1 nasopharyngeal flocked minitip swab in viral transport medium (VTM)
Specimen Preparation
Insert swab into liquid after collection; snap swab at score mark and close container tightly.
Unacceptable Conditions
Unlabeled, frozen, or leaking containers; specimens received >24 hours after collection; dry swabs, or swabs in gel or other non-VTM transport liquid; cotton or wooden-shaft swabs.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Stability (from collection to initiation)
24 hours
Collection Instructions
Tilt patient head back and insert minitip swab through nostril to the back of the throat. Rotate swab and carefully remove. Insert swab into liquid after collection; snap swab at score mark and close container tightly.
Ordering
Ordering Recommendations
Limited to Emergency Department use only.
Performed
Daily
Methodology
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Reported
Within 1 hour of receipt
Synonyms
rapid flu
rapid covid
covid
flu
influenza
covid-19
SARS
Collection
Tests Included
Influenza A, Influenza B, SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
Specimen Type
1 nasopharyngeal flocked minitip swab in viral transport medium (VTM)
Specimen Preparation
Insert swab into liquid after collection; snap swab at score mark and close container tightly.
Unacceptable Conditions
Unlabeled, frozen, or leaking containers; specimens received >24 hours after collection; dry swabs, or swabs in gel or other non-VTM transport liquid; cotton or wooden-shaft swabs.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Stability (from collection to initiation)
24 hours
Collection Instructions
Tilt patient head back and insert minitip swab through nostril to the back of the throat. Rotate swab and carefully remove. Insert swab into liquid after collection; snap swab at score mark and close container tightly.
