Beginning Monday, October 11 2021, COVID-19 specimens (including COVID-19 PCR as well as other viral respiratory PCR panels) may be collected with the nasopharyngeal swab in viral transport medium shown in the attached photo (Hospital Stores #33595, which contains a flexible minitip flocked NP swab and viral transport media). This change reverts back to the nasopharyngeal swab kit used for respiratory viral testing prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and replaces pre-bagged kits from the Swab Store.

You will begin to see your OmniCells stocked with this kit as of October 11, 2021. If you do not receive your supplies via an OmniCell you can call Stores at 6-1784 to request the kit Hospital Stores #33595.  Please be advised that the specimen MUST be double bagged in two biohazard bags (“Bag Blood Transport 8 X 10 Zip Closure 2.0 mil With Document Pocket”, Hospital Stores # 32120).

If you have questions specifically related to this change, please contact Bob Rotzoll at robert-rotzoll@uiowa.edu.