Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Viral Panel

UIHC/IRL - Obtain collection kits from the Omnicells. If you find you have no kits available when you look in your Omnicell, please contact Hospital Stores at 6-1784. The NP kit is PS #33595.

MCD - Hospital: Obtain collection kits from MCD Lab (Item #48341). Clinics: Obtain collections kits from Outreach Department 319-339-3774.

NP swabs should not be used for patients with a history of nasal trauma, bleeding disorders, nasal medications, or deviated septum. These conditions could lead to increased trauma and inaccurate results if the NP swab is used. An OP swab should be used for Covid testing for these patients.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVJNWefmHjE

1. Label the transport media vial with specimen label prior to specimen collection, and scan into EPIC.
2. Open the collection swab wrapper by peeling open the top of the wrapper. Remove the swab taking care not to touch the tip or lay it down.
3. Inset swab into one nostril straig in, not upwards, until resistance is met or until tip is ½ distance from nostril to base of ear.
4. Rotate swab over surface of posterior nasopharynx 2–3 times, do not advance and hold in place for 5 seconds before removing.
5. While holding the swab in the same hand, unscrew the transport vial containing liquid media.
6. Place the collection swab into the vial.
7. Identify the scoreline on the collection swab shaft, then carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline and discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
8. Re-cap the transport tube and tighten the cap securely.

UHC/IRL - Obtain collection kits from the Omnicells. If you find you have no kits available when you look in your Omnicell, please contact Hospital Stores at 6-1784. The OP kit is PS #33625.

MCD - Clinics obtain collections kits from Outreach Department. Hospital obtain collection kits from Lab.

1. Label the transport media vial with specimen label prior to specimen collection, and scan into EPIC.
2. Open the collection swab wrapper by peeling open the top of the wrapper. Remove the swab taking care not to touch the tip or layit down.
3. Swab the pharynx, avoiding the tongue.
4. Place the collection swab into the vial.
5. Identify the scoreline on the collection swab shaft, then carefully break the swab shaft against the side of the tube at the scoreline and discard the top portion of the swab shaft.
6. Re-cap the transport tube and tighten the cap securely.