SARS-CoV-2 RNA (COVID-19), Qualitative NAAT
Test code
CPT code(s)*
To meet regulatory reporting requirements for COVID-19 testing, the patient's address, phone number and other demographic details are required for this order.
Clinical significance
Test resources
Fact sheet
Marketing - marketing brochure
Specimen handling - specimen collection guide
Test result
Details
Methodology
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) includes RT-PCR or TMA
Alternative name(s)
Novel Coronavirus,Wuhan,COVID19,nCOV,Coronavirus
Specimen requirements | |
|---|---|
| Patient preparation | None Specified |
| Preferred specimen(s) | One (1) nasopharyngeal (NP) swab collected in a multi microbe media (M4, M4RT, M5, M6), VCM (UTM) medium (green-top) tube, Amies liquid elution swab (ESwab), or equivalent Viral Transport Media (VTM), including saline or PBS |
| Alternative specimen(s) | Upper respiratory specimens such as: One (1) oropharyngeal (OP) swab; combination NP/OP swabs collected together; or an anterior nares specimen (collected using only a foam swab) in a multi microbe media (M4, M4RT, M5, M6), VCM (UTM) medium (green-top) tube, Amies liquid elution swab (ESwab), or equivalent Viral Transport Media (VTM), including saline or PBS OR Lower respiratory specimens such as: 0.85 mL bronchoalveolar lavage/wash, nasopharyngeal aspirate/wash, tracheal aspirate, or sputum sample collected in a plastic sterile leak-proof container |
| Minimum volume | 1 swab • 0.6 mL |
| Collection instructions | Each COVID-19 specimen transport vial that is submitted should be accompanied by its own separate requisition and transported in its own sealed bag |
| Transport container | Preferred: Multi microbe media (M4, M4RT, M5, M6), VCM medium (green-cap) tube or equivalent (UTM) Acceptable: Plastic sterile leak-proof container |
| Transport temperature | Frozen |
| Specimen stability | Room temperature: 5 days Refrigerated (2-8° C): 5 days Frozen (-20° C): Acceptable Frozen (-70° C): Acceptable |
| Reject criteria | Calcium alginate swabs; Cotton swabs with wooden shaft • Amies liquid or gel transport used for bacterial cultures • Tubes with clot activator • Glass tubes • Snap-cap tubes • 3D printed swabs • Media with guanidine isothiocyanate (GITC) due to safety concerns |
Reference ranges are provided as general guidance only. To interpret test results use the reference range in the laboratory report.
*The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidance and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.
This material contains content from LOINC® (http://loinc.org). The LOINC Table, LOINC Table Core are copyright © 1995-2019, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee and is available at no cost under the license at http://loinc.org/license.
The tests listed by specialty and category are a select group of tests offered. For a complete list of Quest Diagnostics tests, please adjust the filter options chosen, or refer to our Directory of Services.