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.
Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538
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
Respiratory Tract Infection
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.
NOTE: If Bordetella pertussis is suspected then Bordetella PCR should be ordered on the test requisition
PREAUTHORIZATION by the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required prior to transporting specimens.
Nasopharyngeal specimen (NPS) in Viral Transport Medium (VTM) or Universal Transport Medium (UTM)
Specimen can be held at room temperature at 15-25°C for up to 4 hours; refrigerated at 2-8°C for up to 3 days; or frozen at ≤15°C or ≤ 70°C for up to 30 days.
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
Respiratory Panel
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.
Avoid collecting or handling specimens in areas that are exposed to vaccine material for pathogens detected by the BIOFIRE RP2.1 (e.g. influenza, poliovirus, SARS-CoV-2, and Bordetella pertussis).
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
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Specimen too old
Not Detected for all pathogens
3 business days
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