Shortage of respiratory viral panel testing

The current shortage of Mycoplasma pneumoniae-related testing has resulted in unexpected demand for, and nationwide shortages of, respiratory viral PCR panels (Respiratory Pathogen Panel, LAB8656). Panel testing will be unavailable until Monday or Tuesday, 11/11/24, and may be in relatively short supply in the near term.

Providers who have already ordered a respiratory panel can choose to wait until next week, with a delay in resulting, or convert panels to a 4-member panel with influenza A and B, RSV and COVID-19. Ordering providers will receive an Epic secure chat message offering this option, or can call the laboratory (356-2592).

In the near term, consider ordering “Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) viral panel”, LAB8963, which covers Influenza A and B, RSV, and COVID-19 if the other analytes are not essential.

Questions about this broadcast can be directed to Bradley Ford, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Clinical Microbiology; (ext. 6-2990, bradley-ford@uiowa.edu; *8290).