MERS-CoV
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
Coronavirus
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)
RT-PCR for the detection of MERS-CoV
TEST CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AT THE RISHL. SPCEIMENS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE WADSWORTH CENTER, NY (LRN REGIONAL LABORATORY) FOR TESTING.
PREAUTHORIZATION by the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required prior to transporting specimens.
Refer to the current version of "Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens" from Patients Under Investigation (PUIs) for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) at https://www.cdc.gov/mers/php/laboratories/
RISHL DOES NOT ACCEPT STOOL FOR TESTING
Refrigerate at 2°-8°C and transport within 72 hours. If unable to transport within 72 hours, the specimen must be frozen at -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
MERS-CoV
Refrigerated: Transport and deliver to the laboratory within 72 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.
NOTIFY the RISHL Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (401) 222-5538 prior to shipping
PCR Negative for MERS-CoV
Providers must report patient information on Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus immediately using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
3 business days
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens to the RISHL Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Sendout Departments