Patient Demographics & Reporting

Due to mandatory reporting for COVID-19 testing, additional patient demographic information is needed to complete a test order. Failure to provide the required information will result in delayed testing.

Cleveland Clinic will report positive test results to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

Client Services will call and notify the designated contact for ordering locations of any positive COVID-19 test results.

Patient Details

• First & last name
  • Guardian’s name (for patients 16 years old and under only)
• Date of birth
• Sex
• Race/ethnicity
• Current address (street, city, county, state, zip code)
• Primary telephone number (please include area code)
• Insurance details

Specimen Details

• Collection date
• Collection time
• First & last name of the collector
• Specimen type (e.g., NP swab, sputum)

Healthcare Provider Details

• First & last name
• Address (street, city, county, state, zip code)
• Phone number

Test Name

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID)

Turnaround Time

1 – 2 days*
Testing is performed 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week

Specimen Requirements

Type:
(1) Nasopharyngeal (NP) Swab

Volume:
3 mL

Specimen Container:
Mini-Tip Flocked Swab in Universal Transport Media (UTM)

Transport Temperature:
Refrigerated; transport to the laboratories on cold packs or wet ice.

Alternative Specimens

Type:
(1) Oropharyngeal (OP) Swab

Volume:
3 mL

Specimen Container:
Regular Tip Flocked Swab in Universal Transport Media (UTM)

Transport Temperature:
Refrigerated; transport to the laboratories on cold packs or wet ice.

Alternative Specimens

Type:
Lower respiratory specimens: sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)

Volume:
3 mL

Specimen Container:
Sterile specimen container

Transport Temperature:
Refrigerated; transport to the laboratories on cold packs or wet ice.

Stability

Ambient:
Unacceptable

Refrigerated (2-8ºC):
72 hours

Frozen:
Up to 30 days

Rejection Criteria

For NP/OP Swabs:

1. Gather the following items: (1) UTM Swab Kit, patient identification labels, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

2. Identify the patient.

3. Wash your hands, then put on any personal protective equipment, including gloves.

4. Open the UTM Nasopharyngeal Swab kit.

5. Carefully remove the swab from the packaging without touching the tip.

If using a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab:
6. Gently insert the swab along the nasal septum just above the floor of the passage to the nasopharynx until resistance is met.

7. Rotate the swab gently against the nasopharyngeal mucosa for 10 – 15 seconds, then remove.

If using an oropharyngeal (OP) swab:
8. Insert the swab into the back of the patient’s throat and gently swab the tonsillar pillars and posterior oropharynx.
Note: Avoid touching the patient’s teeth, gums, and tongue.

9. Remove the cap from the UTM vial, then insert the swab all the way to the bottom of the tube.

10. While holding the tube away from your face, bend the swab in the vial at a 180-degree angle to break at the marked breakpoint.

11. Close the tube tightly; if possible, wrap the cap with Parafilm.
Note: Any leaking specimens will be rejected.

12. Label specimen with the patient’s first & last name, date of birth, and the date, time, and site of collection (e.g., NP or OP).

13. Double-bag the specimen, place on wet ice, then refrigerate.

14. Complete a Coronavirus 2019 (COVID) Test Requisition.  Need a COVID requisition?  Contact Client Services.
Note: The following information is required – patient first & last name, guardian’s name (if the patient is 16 years of age or younger), social security number, date of birth, gender, race/ethnicity, current address, and phone number with area code.

15. Place the completed requisition in the pocket of the specimen bag.
Note: Do not place any paperwork in the first bag containing the specimen.

16. For the fastest turnaround time, deliver to Main Campus LL Building Specimen Receiving Area (10300 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106).
Note: This test is not STAT.