Methodology
RT-PCR
Synonyms
SARS-COV-2; COVID, COVID19; Coronavirus
Specimen Type
Swab
Performing Lab
RCHSD Molecular Diagnostics (MDL)
Epic ID
LAB09286
Lab Test Days
Daily
Standard TAT
4-6 hours
Stat TAT
Use Rapid Liat COVID test instead
Collection Information
Specimen Required
See collection instructions
Container Type
Viral Media
Collection Instructions
1. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) 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). 2. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) undiluted or diluted 1:1 (v/v) in a mucolytic such as Remel Sputasol. 3. Nasal wash/aspirate (NW) undiluted. 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, unlabelled/mislabeled specimen, specimen with calcium alginate swabs
Test Volume Required
3 mL VTM, or 1.0 mL for BAL or nasal wash
Minimum Test Volume
3 mL VTM, or 1.0 mL for BAL or nasal wash
Processing Instructions
Do not open bag containing specimen outside of the Biosafety hood.
Included Tests
Sars-CoV-2 RT-PCR
Comments
N/A
CPT Codes
87635
Revised
07-07-22
Initials
KCE
© 2023 Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego