Recommended specimen: Nasopharyngeal swab collected in universal or viral transport medium, 3 mL tubes. A recommended procedure to collect a nasopharyngeal swab is included below.
Other acceptable specimens nasal washings collected in universal or viral transport medium.
Acceptable substitutes for universal or vial transport media include phosphate buffered saline (PBS), sterile saline, or liquid Amies.
Unacceptable Conditions
Unacceptable Specimens: Sputum, Trach aspriates, Dry swabs or specimens not in the media mentioned above. Ambient specimens. Calcium alginate swabs; cotton swabs with wooden shaft; specimens received in Primestore MTM media; received refrigerated more than 48 hours after collection; swabs in gel transport. All Non-respiratory specimens such as stool, CSF, ear swabs etc.. are NOT acceptable.
Storage/Transport Temperature
After collection, the specimen should be stored at 2-8°C and processed within 48 hours.
If delivery and processing exceed 48 hours, transport specimens in dry ice. Once in laboratory store frozen at -70 °C or below.
Remarks
NOTE: Ideal volume to complete testing is 3mL. Universal or Viral Transport volumes less than 3mL may yield invalid results requiring repeat collection.
Notes
Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection
Insert a flexible fine-shafted swab through nostril into nasopharynx and rotate the swab gently a few times.
Place the swab into transport media.
Deliver specimen to the lab.
Ordering Recommendations
Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories
Results usually available within 24 hours of receipt in laboratory.
Methodology
Covid 19 Detection Nucleic Acid Amplification assays at Nebraska Medicine Clinical Laboratories include Polymer Chain Reaction (PCR) and Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA) methods and these equivalent methods are performed at laboratory discretion.
Recommended specimen: Nasopharyngeal swab collected in universal or viral transport medium, 3 mL tubes. A recommended procedure to collect a nasopharyngeal swab is included below.
Other acceptable specimens nasal washings collected in universal or viral transport medium.
Acceptable substitutes for universal or vial transport media include phosphate buffered saline (PBS), sterile saline, or liquid Amies.
Unacceptable Conditions
Unacceptable Specimens: Sputum, Trach aspriates, Dry swabs or specimens not in the media mentioned above. Ambient specimens. Calcium alginate swabs; cotton swabs with wooden shaft; specimens received in Primestore MTM media; received refrigerated more than 48 hours after collection; swabs in gel transport. All Non-respiratory specimens such as stool, CSF, ear swabs etc.. are NOT acceptable.
Storage/Transport Temperature
After collection, the specimen should be stored at 2-8°C and processed within 48 hours.
If delivery and processing exceed 48 hours, transport specimens in dry ice. Once in laboratory store frozen at -70 °C or below.
Remarks
NOTE: Ideal volume to complete testing is 3mL. Universal or Viral Transport volumes less than 3mL may yield invalid results requiring repeat collection.
Notes
Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection
Insert a flexible fine-shafted swab through nostril into nasopharynx and rotate the swab gently a few times.
Place the swab into transport media.
Deliver specimen to the lab.
Ordering
Ordering Recommendations
Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories
Results usually available within 24 hours of receipt in laboratory.
Methodology
Covid 19 Detection Nucleic Acid Amplification assays at Nebraska Medicine Clinical Laboratories include Polymer Chain Reaction (PCR) and Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA) methods and these equivalent methods are performed at laboratory discretion.
