Norovirus

TEST NAME

• PRIOR CONSULTATION REQUIRED.
• REQUESTED THROUGH CONSULTATION WITH EPIDEMIOLOGY ONLY.
• Contact  CEDEP prior to submission.

• TDH DLS Requisition: PH-4182 Clinical Submission Requisition Form
  

Patient Preparation

• None

• Oral/buccal swab in 1-3mL Viral Transport Media
• Throat swab in 1-3mL Viral Transport Media

• Specimen should be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match the accompanying PH-4182 Clinical Submission Form.

• None

• Specimens may be stored at 2 - 8°C for up to 5 days after collection.
• If testing will be delayed more than 5 days, specimens should be frozen at            (-70)°C or colder.

• Ship specimens at 2 - 8°C with cold packs.
• Frozen specimens should be shipped on Dry Ice.
• Specimen must be placed in an individual biohazard bag with absorbent material  and should be shipped to the laboratory on the day of collection whenever possible. 
• All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 

• Unsatisfactory specimens include, but may not be limited to:

- The specimen was broken or leaked in transit

- No specimen was in the container submitted

- Improper specimen type submitted

- Specimens received at improper temperature

- Specimens received without documentation of consultation

• Nashville