This information is for
health care providers. Patients should
contact their health care provider with questions and concerns regarding swine
influenza.
H1N1 Testing
Update: Tuesday,
1 Update
Two forms are now required to
accompany a specimen for influenza testing at the Health and Environmental
Testing Laboratory (HETL).
The Maine CDC has created a new form, the Influenza Virus Specimen
Submission Form, to be used in conjunction with the Environmental Testing
Laboratory Requisition Form.
Both forms are required to accompany all specimens being tested by HETL
for Influenza A/B RT-PCR and are available at:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/etl/micro/download_forms.htm
NorDx must receive a fully completed Maine CDC Influenza Virus Specimen
Submission Form and a completed Environmental Testing Laboratory Requisition
Form along with a specimen to ensure timely testing. Any missing information will result in a
delay in sending the specimen to the state and/or in testing. All information is mandatory by the Maine
CDC.
Health care providers with questions on H1N1 can contact the Maine CDC
at 1-800-821-5821, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
End
H1N1 Testing Update: Friday,
4 Updates:
1.) Providers are encouraged
to obtain pre-authorization from Maine CDC (1-800-821-5821) for swine (H1N1)
PCR testing of suspicious cases.
2.) Due to the lack of sensitivity
and specificity for the H1N1 virus, NorDx recommends against using the rapid
influenza A B screening for diagnosis of swine flu.
If seasonal influenza virus
is suspected, you may order the rapid influenza A B screening; however, a
reflex swine flu PCR test may be initiated by NorDx. Refer to collection
instructions in update from
3.) NorDx will be fulfilling
supply requests for the Viral Culture Kit (M4 Blue Cap) with the CT/GC Probe
Kit (Red Cap). The reason for this
change is due to the sudden high demand for the Viral Kit and the
manufacturer's back log in distributing sufficient supplies.
It's important to note,
unlike the Viral Culture Kit, the CT/GC Probe is at ambient temperature when
supplied; however, it is necessary to refrigerate the specimen upon collection
and during transport.
The Viral Culture Kits are on
order and will be supplied once they are received. At this time, we do not have a delivery date
to share with you.
4.) For New Hampshire
providers only: Specimens for swine flu
(H1N1) PCR testing that are sent to NorDx will be forwarded to Maine Health and
Environmental Testing Lab. Positive
results will be reported to the ordering provider and the public health
department of the patient's state of residency.
End
Update: Tuesday,
In order to expedite swine
influenza testing and epidemiologic investigation, NorDx is forwarding all
requests for swine influenza testing directly to the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory
(MHETL). The MHETL will perform a PCR
test and, if positive, a culture.
The care provider must
collect a specimen and place an order as stated below.
NOTE: If a
direct Influenza A and B Antigen test is desired in addition to swine flu PCR,
collect a separate specimen and place a
separate order for this test.
Specimen:
1. Collect one of the following:
Preferred:
- Nasopharyngeal swab/aspirate
- Nasal wash/aspirate
Alternative:
- Nasal swab plus oropharyngeal
swab (combined in same transport medium)
2. Place
swab(s) into transport media tube, break off at the neck of tube, and screw cap
on tightly.
3. Label
container with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth or medical record
number, date and time of collection, collector’s initials and SPECIMEN SOURCE.
4. Send
specimen refrigerated. DO NOT FREEZE.
5. Maintain
sterility and forward promptly.
NOTE:
SPECIMEN SOURCE IS REQUIRED ON REQUEST FORM FOR PROCESSING.
Order:
Place
an order for swine flu PCR as a miscellaneous test, using your normal ordering
procedure, either electronic or by paper NorDx requisition.
Supplies:
Item 015703 - Viral Culture
Kit
Contents:
M4 Medium in blue screw-cap
tube
Swabs
Preauthorization:
The
For additional information health care providers may call Client Support at 1-800-773-5814.
Additional information regarding swine influenza may be found at:
Maine CDC website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/index.shtml
CDC's website has updated
national information and guidance at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/