Rubella (German Measles) 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
Rubella
Rubella
Real-Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) for the detection of Rubella RNA
PREAUTHORIZATION by the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required prior to transporting specimens.
Specimens are sent to the Massachusetts State Health Laboratory for testing.
Specimen: Nasopharyngeal, throat (must use a nasopharyngeal swab to collect specimen)
Use a PCR grade (synthetic) tipped nasopharyngeal swab to collect specimen(s) and immediately place the swab(s) into 1-3 mL viral transport medium (VTM) or universal transport medium (UTM). Tighten cap securely.
Store refrigerated at 2-8°C. If transport is delayed beyond 24 hours, specimens must be frozen at -20°C or -70°C.
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
CDC Sendout
Write "Rubella PCR" under Comments/Other Test Requests.
Transport within 24 hours of collection.
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 24 hours of collection at 2-8°C in a cooler able to maintain specimen temperature. A plug-in electric cooler is recommended, however, a cooler packed with excess frozen gel packs is acceptable as long as the transport temperature is maintained at 2-8°C.
Frozen: If specimen previously frozen, it must be transported on frozen gel packs in insulated shipper.
Specimens must be transported and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations
Providers must report patient information on Rubella (PCR) within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
Sent out within 1 business day
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens to the RISHL Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments.