Group A Strep Screen, Throat Swab

Group A Strep Screen

Order Code:	C GPA
Order Form:	Microbiology/Molecular Pathology Infectious Disease Requisition

Specimen:

Throat Swab

Collection Medium:

Aerobic Culturette

Testing Schedule:

0700-2200, 7 days a week, including holidays. Cultures are completed within 2-3 days.

Comments:

For children and adolescents, a negative rapid GAS antigen detection test should be confirmed with a throat culture. A negative rapid antigen test without culture confirmation is considered an acceptable practice for adults because of the lower incidence of GAS pharyngitis and minimal risk of rheumatic fever. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis are available at Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) (Clin Infect Dis 2002; 35:113-25) and Circulation (Circulation 2009; 119:1541-1551).

Sample Processing:

Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as possible.

Sample Storage:

Refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Transport Instructions:

Coolant packs up to 8 hours.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.

CPT Code:

87081