24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

3 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

This order is available for outpatient, inpatient and ED encounters. If positive for Influenza A, Influenza B or Influenza H1N1, only the results of these 3 tests will be reported. If Influenza negative, the remaining viruses on the Respiratory Virus Panel will be reported (Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3 and 4; RSV A and B; Human metapneumovirus; adenovirus, Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus; coronavirus; Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae). To order the remaining tests on the Respiratory virus Panel when only the Influenza tests have been reported, order LAB8658, "Respiratory virus Panel Cascading Add on".

This panel covers these analytes: Influenza A (includes H1N1/2009), Influenza B, Parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, and 4, Respiratory Syncytial virus A and b, Adenovirus, Human Metapneumovirus, Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus (not distinguished), Coronavirus (229E, HKU1, NL63, OC43), Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), Chlamydia pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This panel does NOT detect other coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV (2003) or MERS.

Processing Instructions:

Specimen Collection:
* Droplet Precautions (surgical mask) should be used by healthcare
  workers obtaining clinical specimens. Since sneezes, coughing or
  splashes may occur during sample collection, eye protection also
  should be worn.
* Nasopharyngeal swab: Collect specimen using the flexible minitip
  flocked swab (Hospital Stores #33595, contains a flexible minitip 
  flocked swab). Measure the distance from the patient's nostril(half 
  the distance from nostril to base of the ear) and hold the swab at 
  that location. Do not advance the swab beyond that point. Gently 
  insert the swab along the base of one nostril (straight back, not 
  upwards) and continue along the floor of the nasal passage until 
  reaching the nasopharynx. Rotate swab 2-3 times and hold in place 
  for 5 seconds. Place swab in tube containing viral transport 
  medium. Break off the excess length of swab at the score mark to 
  permit capping of the tube.

Indicate specimen type on requisition.
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Specimen source is required on requisition for processing.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as possible.
Submit in leak-proof container.

Refrigerate.
Specimen cannot be frozen.

Coolant packs up to 8 hours.
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Recommend early AM overnight shipping or equivalent if not on courier service.