Specimen Requirements

Ambient specimen must arrive at ARUP® Laboratories within 8 hours of collection. Call Billings Clinic Laboratory at 866-232-2522 to discuss the best specimen transport.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Acceptable Culture Sources:
Brain tissue, joint fluid, lung tissue, pericardial fluid, spinal fluid, sputum (or other respiratory specimen), throat swab, or vesicle swab

Pediatric

1. Submit swab in multipurpose transport medium (Microtest M4) tube or other viral transport medium tubes at 2° C to 8° C; or 1 mL to 3 mL of respiratory specimen or other fluid in a sterile, leakproof container, multipurpose transport medium (Microtest M4) tube, or other viral transport medium tubes.
2. Label tube/container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
3. Send specimen at 2° C to 8° C as soon as possible after collection. If transport time will be >24 hours, freeze specimen a -70° C and transport frozen.
4. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
5. Specimen is stable at ambient temperature if received within 8 hours of collection or refrigerated within 24 hours of collection. A frozen (-70° C) specimen is stable for up to 1 month.

Adult

1. Submit swab in multipurpose transport medium (Microtest M4) tube or other viral transport medium tubes at 2° C to 8° C; or 1 mL to 3 mL of respiratory specimen or other fluid in a sterile, leakproof container, multipurpose transport medium (Microtest M4) tube, or other viral transport medium tubes.
2. Label tube/container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen
3. Send specimen at 2° C to 8° C as soon as possible after collection. If transport time will be >24 hours, freeze specimen a -70° C and transport frozen.
4. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
5. Specimen is stable at ambient temperature if received within 8 hours of collection or refrigerated within 24 hours of collection. A frozen (-70° C) specimen is stable for up to 1 month.