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Test Code LAB4920 COVID-19 Coronavirus RNA

Performing Laboratory

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory            

Methodology

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens

Nasopharyngeal (NP): 1 swab in viral transport medium
Oropharyngeal (OP):  1 swab in viral transport media or BD Eswab collection kit
Respiratory (bronchial alveolar lavage, bronchial washing, sputum, tracheal aspirate): ≥1 mL in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

 

Collection Procedure

Nasopharyngeal 
1. Call Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory Customer Service at 314-362-1470 to obtain Viral Transport Medium Collection Kit.

2. Collect specimen using plastic shaft swab(s) provided.
3. Place swab(s) in vial, break or cut off shaft of swab(s), discard shaft, and tightly cap vial.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

5. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen. 
Note: Specimen source is required.

 

Oropharyngeal 
1. Call Barnes-Jewish Hospital Laboratory Customer Service at 314-362-1470 to obtain Viral Transport Medium Collection Kit or BD ESwab collection kit.

2. Collect specimen using plastic shaft swab(s) provided.
3. Place swab(s) in vial, break or cut off shaft of swab(s), discard shaft, and tightly cap vial.
4. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

5. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen. 
Note: Specimen source is required.

 

Lower Respiratory (Bronchial Alveolar Lavage, Bronchial Washing, Sputum, Tracheal Aspirate) 
1. Aseptically collect ≥1 mL of specimen.
2. Place in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.

4. If transport is delayed, refrigerate specimen. 
Note: Specimen source is required. 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Turnaround Time: 

Nasopharyngeal (NP), Oropharyngeal (OP): < 24 hours of specimen receipt in the laboratory.

Lower Respiratory (Bronchial Alveolar Lavage, Bronchial Washing, Sputum, Tracheal Aspirate):  < 12 hours of speciment receipt in the laboratory

Reference Values

COVID-19 Coronavirus RNA Not Detected (Negative)

Specimen Transport Temperature

Nasopharyngeal Swab, Oropharyngeal Swab, and Lower Respiratory:  Ambient/Refrigerate OK

Additional Information

Test performed in BJH Molecular Infectious Disease

 

For BJH Laboratory Use Only

Minimum Volume:

Nasopharyngeal (NP): 1 swab in viral transport medium

Oropharyngeal (OP): 1 swab in viral transport media or BD Eswab collection kit

Lower Respiratory (Bronchial Alveolar Lavage, Bronchial Washing, Sputum, Tracheal Aspirate):  1 mL in a leakproof screw-capped, sterile container

 

CPT Code

U0003 - Nasopharyngeal (NP), Oropharyngeal (OP), Lower Respiratory (Bronchial Alveolar Lavage, Bronchial Washing, Sputum, Tracheal Aspirate)

Sample Stability

Nasopharyngeal (NP) and Oropharyngeal (OP):

Refrigerated (2-10C):  72 hours

Frozen (< -20C):  7 days

 

Lower Respiratory (Bronchial Alveolar Lavage, Bronchial Washing, Sputum, Tracheal Aspirate,):

Refrigerated (2-10C):  7 days

Frozen (< -20C):  14 days