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HelpTest Code SCV2 CORONAVIRUS SARS-COV-2 MOLECULAR [LAB1983]
Additional Codes
EPIC: LAB1983
Performing Laboratory
UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital
Performance
Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.
Routine: Typically completed the same day the specimen
arrives at the laboratory.
STAT: Typically completed within 4 hours after the specimen
arrives at the laboratory.
Note: Turn around times for COVID testing can vary greatly and are affected by supply chain problems and viral surges in the community.
Specimen Requirement
The specimen should be collected as soon as possible after the
clinical onset of disease. Highest viral titers are present during
the acute illness. Nasal collection kit supplies are distributed by
the hospital laboratory sites. Specimens in Viral Transport Media
can be stored at room temperature up to 24 hours and refrigerated
at 2-8°C for up to seven days.
- Collect the specimen using the flocked swab and place in M4 viral transport media.
- Remove the cap from the medium tube.
- Insert the swab into the tube.
- Break the swab shaft by bending it against the tube wall.
- Replace the cap and close tightly.
- Label with appropriate patient information.
M4 Viral Media comes in a variety of brands.
Useful For
The detection SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs collected from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider.
Reference Values
Negative
Method
Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction (rPCR)
CPT
87635 - Infectious agent detection by nucleic acid (DNA or RNA); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavrius 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Coronavirus disease [COVID-19]), amplified probe technique.