Spectrum Health Lab has noticed an increase in outpatient orders for Respiratory Pathogens by Film Array [LAB3359]. This may be due to a shortage of supplies for some Point of Care (POC) testing platforms. Film Array is typically used for emergency and high acuity patients and therefore has a high cost that may not be covered by most patients’ insurance. To lesson out of pocket costs for your patients, please order the below for RSV, COVID, or Flu testing.
Lab Specimen: NP or Nares, “Wet Swab” UTM, ESwab/Amies or Saline tube with swab.
Influenza (Flu) A/B PCR [LAB3255]
Lab Specimen: NP or Nares, “Wet Swab” UTM, ESwab/Amies or Saline tube with swab.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Rapid [LAB495]
Lab Specimen: NP only, “Wet Swab” UTM, ESwab/Amies or Saline tube with swab.
RSV antigen testing is intended for pediatric patients (less than 5 years of age)
Note: Dry swabs are single use and cannot be used for add-on testing
