COVID-19 Virus RNA (Isothermal Amplification) - Abbott ID NOW

Test Code: IDNO

This test must only be used to test individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 within 7 days of symptoms onset.
Negative results are presumptive and should NOT guide infection control or public health decisions and should NOT be used as the sole basis for identifying SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in pre-surgical patients, patients being admitted to hospital, or in staff being tested to return to work.
For negative results where suspicion of COVID-19 is high, please submit a nasopharyngeal swab in viral transport medium (VTM) to a reference laboratory for testing.  Consult with a medical or clinical microbiologist if test interpretation is in question.

Cadham

Negative for COVID-19 Virus RNA

Daily

Sample Collection Process:

Nasal Swab for Rapid Testing
- Only use the special swab provided by the lab; DO NOT use any alternate swabs.
- Carefully remove the swab from the packaging and retain the packaging.
- Carefully insert the swab into the nostril exhibiting the most visible drainage, or the nostril that is most congested if drainage is not visible.  Using gentle rotation, push the swab until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates (less than one inch into the nostril).  Rotate the swab several times against the nasal wall, then slowly remove from the nostril.  Using the same swab, repeat sample collection in the other nostril.
- Carefully reinsert the swab back into the original outer packaging, label the packaging with patient name and PHIN, and place into a specimen bag.
- Patient information must be labelled on the swab outer packaging, not the specimen bag.
- Alternately, submit sample in clean unused tube labeled with patient information
- DO NOT PLACE THIS SWAB INTO VIRAL TRANSPORT MEDIA.
- After collection, transport specimen to laboratory as soon as possible.
- Store at room tempertaure up to one hour or at 2-8°C up to 24 hours.
- If greater than 24 hour delay occurs, dispose of sample and collect a new sample unless indicated otherwise by your local health authority.
***The swab must not be placed into transport media.
**Proper swab collection and storage are critical.  A trained healthcare professional must collect the swab sample**

Nasopharyngeal Swab for Further Testing
- Use a regular nasopharyngeal swab.
- Carefully insert the swab into the nostril exhibiting the most visible drainage, or the nostril that is most congested if drainage is not visible.  Pass the swab directly backwards without tipping the swab head up or down.  The nasal passage runs parallel to the floor, not parallel to the bridge of the nose.  Using gentle rotation, insert the swab into the anterior nose parallel to the palate, advancing the swab into the nasopharynx, leave in place for a few seconds, and then slowly rotate the swab as it is being withdrawn.  To ensure proper collection, the swab should be passed a distance that is halfway of that from the nose to the tip of the ear.  This is about half the length of the swab.  Do not use force while inserting the swab.  The swab should travel smoothly with minimal resistance; if resistance is encountered, withdraw the swab a little bit without taking it out of the nostril.  Then elevate the back of the swab and move it forward into the nasopharynx.
- Insert the swab into the viral transport medium, break off the shaft of the swab against the top of the vial, and place the cap back onto the vial.  Label the vial with patient information and place into a specimen bag.
- After collection of specimen, transport to laboratory as soon as possible at 4°C with a cold pack.  Ensure specimens are sent using appropriate packaging in accordance with Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation.