Aiding in diagnosis of common viral pathogens causing severe disease in patients with signs and symptoms of influenza-like-illness (ILI).
Please have patient blow their nose prior to NP and nasal collections. Excessive mucus is known inhibitor/interfering substance for molecular testing.
Universal Transport media (UTM)
Effective 11/2022 - For Allina Health Clinic Ambulatory patients only:
Hologic Direct Load Tube
Use the mini-tip NP swab included in the COVID-19 test kit.
Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab collection:
New England Journal of Medicine video on NP swab collection: Nasopharyngeal Swab Collection Video
Universal Transport media (UTM)
Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)
Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS)
Refrigerated (2-8°C) - 7 days
Realt time nucleic acid amplification (NAAT)
Negative
Excessive mucus is a known inhibitor/interfering substance for molecular tests. Review specimen tab for patient preparation.