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NP Screen™ / Sample Collection

Sample Collection

The laboratory director or supervisor will contact the physician/customer in the event that a specimen is determined to be unacceptable for testing.

In such event, the patient will be contacted to return for another sample collection at the same office or a specified collection site. The requisition number of the retest and the previous test requisition number need to be submitted to rma(at)npscreen.com for approval prior of shipment.

Only specimens collected and transported using the components and methods provided in the PX500.50.06 Nasopharyngeal Specimen Collection and Transport Kit, will be accepted for testing. Upon arrival at the laboratory the lab technician responsible for receiving patient specimens shall:

Examine each specimen package and ensure all required components such as the patient specimen and test requisition are present in the package. A missing test requisition or a missing specimen will be rejected;

  1. Confirm that the method of labeling, packaging and transport conforms to the regulation to transport of, Exempt Human Specimens. If noncompliance renders the specimen or test requisition unidentifiable, then the specimen is rejected otherwise the specimen is accepted;
  2. Confirm the kit date has not expired (Kit date is stamped on the top center of the test requisition, FORM PX500.50.06). Specimens collected using expired kits are rejected;
  3. Confirm the Test Serial Number that is found on the top RH corner of the test requisition, FORM PX500.50.06, agrees with the bar code number printed on the label affixed to 2 ml transport tube. Agreement failure will cause for specimen rejection;
  4. Check for evidence of leakage from the 2ml specimen transport tube. Leaking tubes are rejected. Specimens which are bloody or heavy with mucus are not acceptable, however their condition must be noted in section ‘G’ of the test requisition;
  5. Transport tube should be inspected and the amount of transport media is noted. If the amount of transport media appears to be less than 500 μl then the sample should be ‘topped’ with the additional transport medium. A dry tube or tube with less than 250 μl is not acceptable for testing. (Note: the brush tip contained in the transport tube may absorb and hold up to 250 μl of transport medium.)
  6. Confirm the required information related to the ordering physician, the patient and the specimen are sufficiently recorded on the test requisition. The ordering physician, the patient and the specimen must be clearly identifiable. Noncompliance will cause for specimen rejection.

Sample Shipment

We understand the importance of ensuring the safe shipping of clinical samples such as human or animal materials, including excreta, secreta, blood (including FDA-approved pharmaceuticals that are blood products), tissue and tissue fluids. We follow the pre-approved guideline for Clinical Samples for shipment via FedEx Express® services.

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