Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever PCR
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538
Ebola virus
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (Ebola)
CDC Ebola Virus Real-Time RT-PCR Assays performed at the RI State Health Laboratories (or other CDC designated laboratory)
Note: Testing performed for Ebola virus Zaire only
RISHL does not perform testing for Ebola virus Sudan
PRE-APPROVAL FOR TESTING IS MANDATORY. Physician must consult with RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology at (401) 222-2577 immediately if Ebola virus infection is suspected.
For additional information refer to CDC guidance at: https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/index.html
CDC Specimen Collection Guidance is located at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-specimen-collection-submission-patients-suspected-infection-ebola.html
Adult: Collect two 4.0 mL tubes of whole blood in plastic tube with EDTA.
Pediatric: Collect minimum of 1.0 mL whole blood in pediatric-sized plastic collection tube with EDTA.
Transport whole blood specimens to RISHL on cold packs at 2°-8°C (not frozen)
REJECTED: Specimen collected in glass tube
Additional specimen types such as serum, plasma, or urine, may be accepted at CDC with prior approval
CLIA regulations require two patient identifiers on the specimen container and the test requisition
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) Test Requisition Form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Biothreat Agent rule-out
Write in "Ebola" under Comments/Other test requests
After collection, specimens are to be transported to your hospital's laboratory in accordance with CDC Collection Guidance http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/interim-guidance-specimen-collection-submission-patients-suspected-infection-ebola.html where they will be appropriately packaged in accordance with current federal regulations as Category A Infectious Substances and transported to the RI State Health Laboratories.
SPECIMEN COLLECTED IN GLASS TUBE WILL BE REJECTED
Specimen negative for Ebola virus RNA
Providers must report patient information on Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
Approximately 4 hours from specimen receipt at State Laboratories