Methodology
RT-PCR (Diasorin)
Synonyms
SARS-COV-2; COVID; COVID19; Coronavirus
Specimen Type
NP or NS Swab or Respiratory Fluid
Performing Lab
RCHSD MDL
Epic ID
LAB09286
Lab Test Days
Daily (0600-1200); Tested on SARS only Rapid test (Liat)/RP2 (ePlex) in Micro afterhours.
Standard TAT
4-6 Hours
Stat TAT
Use Rapid Liat COVID test instead
Collection Information
Specimen Required
Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs or nasal swabs (NS) in Copan Universal Transport Media (UTM) or BD Universal Viral Transport (UVT) or equivalent, Remel M5, Remel M6, Copan ESwab (Liquid Amies), Puritan UniTranz-RT or saline (0.9% sodium chloride in water).
Container Type
Viral Media
Collection Instructions
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) undiluted or diluted 1:1 (v/v) in a mucolytic such as Remel Sputasol or Nasal wash/aspirate (NW) undiluted is also acceptable. Use only swabs with a synthetic tip (e.g. Dacron, nylon, or rayon) and an aluminum or plastic shaft. Do not use calcium alginate swabs, as they may contain substances that inhibit PCR testing. Do not put swab into viral transport media with less than 3 mL volume.
Processing Information - Lab Use Only
Transport Temperature
Refrigerate-OK/Frozen-OK/Ambient-OK
Specimen Stability
No limitation
Rejection Criteria
Leaked specimen; Unlabeled or incompletely labeled specimens; Specimen with calcium alginate swabs
Test Volume Required
3 mL VTM; or 1 mL for BAL or Nasal Wash
Minimum Test Volume
3 mL VTM; or 1 mL for BAL or Nasal Wash
Processing Instructions
Do not open bag containing specimen outside of the Biosafety hood. Receive specimen into lab and place in MDL bucket for pick up. If ordered STAT, deliver to Micro bench staff promptly for SARS only Rapid test (Liat). DO NOT place in Micro bucket.
Included Tests
Sars-CoV-2 RT-PCR
Comments
Tested on SARS only Rapid test (Liat)/RP2 (ePlex) in Micro afterhours.
CPT Codes
87635
Revised
5/17/24
Initials
SA