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Respiratory Panel

Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance

Submit all specimens to 150 Richmond Street, Suite 100, Providence, RI 02903. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.   Learn how and where to drop off your lab samples at our Laboratory Central Services webpage.

Lab

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538

Analyte Name

Adenovirus; Coronavirus 229E; Coronavirus HKU1; Coronavirus OC43; Coronavirus NL63; SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A; Influenza A/H3; Influenza A/2009-H1; Influenza B;  Human Metapneumovirus; Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus; Parainfluenza 1 (PIV1); Parainfluenza 2 (PIV2); Parainfluenza 3 (PIV3); Parainfluenza 4 (PIV4); Respiratory Syncytial Virus; Bordetella pertussis; Bordetella parapertussis; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Disease

Respiratory Tract Infection

Test Description

Respiratory pathogen testing is performed using multiplex real-time PCR using the FDA-cleared BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel 2.1 (RP2.1). The performance characteristics of this assay were verified by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL).

Results should be used in conjunction with the patient's clinical symptoms, medical history, and other clinical/laboratory findings to determine an overall clinical diagnosis.

NOTE: A negative FilmArray RP2.1 result does not exclude the possibility of viral or bacterial respiratory infection. Detection of microbe targets does not imply that the corresponding microbes are infectious or are the causative agents for clinical symptoms.

Special Instructions

PREAUTHORIZATION by the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required prior to transporting specimens.

Specimen

Nasopharyngeal specimen (NPS) in Viral Transport Medium (VTM) or Universal Transport Medium (UTM)

Specimen can be held: at room temperature up to 4 days; refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 3 days; or frozen at <-15°C for up to 30 days.

 

Specimen Identification

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.

Form Required

Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf

Test Request

Primary Specimens

Write "Respiratory Panel" under Comments/Other Test Requests

Transport

Transport as soon as possible.

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 packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.

 

Specimen Rejection Criteria

The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:

  • Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
  • Demographics different / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
  • Two identifiers required on specimen
  • Expired / Incorrect collection kit
  • Insufficient quantity
  • Urine cup received
  • No specimen received
  • Specimen leaked in transit
  • Test not evaluated in adolescents <14
  • Specimen too old
Normal Value

Not Detected for all pathogens

Turnaround Time

3 business days

Kit

Kits are available from the RISHL Center for Laboratory Support Services and may be obtained Monday-Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. Kit order forms can be emailed to ridoh.centralservices@health.ri.gov