Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

SIM

40425 

CPT

87807 

Synonyms

RSV 

Specimen Type

Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs or nasal washes/aspirates 

Container

1 swab or 1ml nasal aspirate

Collection Instructions

Use fresh NP swabs and nasal washes for best test performance.  Nasal washes, are the specimen of choice (collected by respiratory), but NP swabs are acceptable. 
•  NP Swabs:  Use sterile polyester, rayon, foam or cotton flexible shaft NP swabs to collect NP sample.  Perform test within one hour of collection. (Do Not use Calcium Alginate Swabs.) 
•  Nasal Washes:  Collect nasal washes in sterile containers (urine containers).  

Volume

n/a

Additional Information

Inadequate specimen collection or low levels of virus shedding may result in suboptimal performance and may yield false negative results.

Patient Preparation

None

Specimen Processing Instructions

None

Transport Requirements

Room temperature or Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

•  Swab samples can be held at room temperature for 1 hour before testing. •  Washes can be held at room temperature for up to 4 hours, or refrigerated for up to 24 hours, before testing.  

Rejection Criteria

•  Swabs in gel 
•  Calcium alginate swabs

Reference Range

Negative

Critical Value

None 

Test Includes

RSV 

Methodology

Immunochromatographic Membrane assay 

Testing Frequency

Daily, Monday - Sunday 

Reviewed By

Sandy Hammett 

Reviewed Date

2/2/2018

Supplemental