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Stanford Health Care

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing: Nucleic Acid Amplification (NAA)

TEST: LABSARSCOV2

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Please read before sending samples for SARS-CoV-2

LAB INTAKE FORM must be completed if your facility has not previously submitted COVID-19 testing to Stanford.

This guidance covers testing performed at the Stanford Lab for SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Testing and is only intended for FACILITIES OUTSIDE OF STANFORD (including UHA).

TEST DETAILS

Use

  • Detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid, indicative of current infection

Expected Turnaround Time

  • 48 – 72 hours
  • Turn-around-time is defined as after receipt in the lab
  • Slower turn-around times can occur depending on supplies and other external factors.

SPECIMEN REQUIREMENTS

Specimen

  • Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs
  • Mid-turbinate nasal swab
  • Anterior nasal swab
  • Nasal aspirates/washes
  • Oropharyngeal swab - best if ordered with NP swab (place both swabs in 1 tube)
  • EDTA plasma
  • Bronchial washing or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens in sterile container

Volume

  • 2-3 mL (minimum 1 mL)

Swab and Container

  • Use flocked swab (preferred) for collection.
  • Other swabs acceptable.
    Exceptions: Do not use calcium alginate tipped swabs and swabs with wooden shafts.
  • Place swab immediately into tube containing 2-3 mL viral (preferred) or universal transport medium; saline can be used if necessary.
  • Sterile cups are acceptable for nasal aspirates/washes, bronchial washing, or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).

*https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/emergency-situations-medical-devices/faqs-diagnostic-testing-sars-cov-2#troubleobtainingviraltransport

HANDLING AND TRANSPORT INSTRUCTIONS

Specimen Handling

  • Specimen is stable for 72 hours
  • Specimen must be kept at 2-8°C (refrigerated/cool) or frozen
  • Specimen must be labeled with two patient identifiers
  • Complete requisition: COVID-19 Requisition Form

Specimen Drop-off Location

  • Stanford Health Care Clinical Laboratories
    3375 Hillview Avenue
    Palo Alto, CA 94304
  • Hours: 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
  • Sample(s) must be hand delivered to Front Desk Security. No patient specimen drop-offs are allowed.

RESULTS & REPORTING

  • Positive results will be called to Physician Phone Number on requisition. Only positive results will be called.
  • Negative and positive result reports will be sent to Report Fax Number on requisition.
  • Report results to patient according to your organization's policy.

RESOURCES

Page Updated: 02/15/2021