Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance: Department of Health

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CLIA Certificate of Compliance for High Complexity Clinical Laboratory
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
Ambient Air and Drinking Water Testing
Food Science Laboratories are accredited by ANAB to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for Testing Laboratories, Certificate AT-2054
Forensic Biology/DNA, Toxicology and Drug Chemistry Laboratories are accredited by ANAB to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for Testing Laboratories, Certificate FT-0004, Federal Bureau of Investigations DNA Analysis & CODIS
Rhode Island Department of Health - In-State Analytical Laboratory Certificate
Rhode Island Department of Health - In-State Clinical Laboratory License

Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance

Submit all specimens to 50 Orms St, Providence RI 02904. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Norovirus
Lab	Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538
Pathogen	Norovirus
Disease	Norovirus
Test Description	Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Norovirus testing is performed using the FDA-approved Cepheid GeneXpert instrument for identification and differentiation of norovirus genogroup I and genogroup II. Results should be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation, laboratory findings, and epidemiological information to determine an overall clinical diagnosis. The performance characteristics were verified by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL).
Special Instructions	PREAUTHORIZATION by the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required prior to transporting specimens. Norovirus testing is for outbreak investigation only.
Specimen	Collect the unpreserved unformed stool specimen in a clean preservative-free vial: Minimum 5 mL Store refrigerated at 2- 8°C for up to 2 days. CLIA regulations require two patient identifiers on the specimen container and the test requisition.
Form Required	Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Test Request	Norovirus PCR (outbreaks)
Transport	Transport within 24 hours of collection. All specimens must be transported on wet ice or equivalent cooling material and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
Integrity	Do not pass the specimen into toilet Do not urinate in the specimen container Do not take a laxative before collecting the specimen
Normal Value	Negative for Norovirus
Turnaround Time	2 business days
Kit	Kits may be obtained Monday - Friday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm from the RI State Health Laboratories Center for Laboratory Support Services

Norovirus

Lab

Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory 401-222-5538

Pathogen

Norovirus

Disease

Norovirus

Test Description

Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)

Norovirus testing is performed using the FDA-approved Cepheid GeneXpert instrument for identification and differentiation of norovirus genogroup I and genogroup II.

Results should be used in conjunction with clinical evaluation, laboratory findings, and epidemiological information to determine an overall clinical diagnosis.

The performance characteristics were verified by the Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL).

Special Instructions

PREAUTHORIZATION by the RIDOH Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology (401) 222-2577 is required prior to transporting specimens.

Norovirus testing is for outbreak investigation only.

Specimen

Collect the unpreserved unformed stool specimen in a clean preservative-free vial: Minimum 5 mL

Store refrigerated at 2- 8°C for up to 2 days.

CLIA regulations require two patient identifiers on the specimen container and the test requisition.

Form Required

Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf

Test Request

Norovirus PCR (outbreaks)

Transport

Transport within 24 hours of collection.

All specimens must be transported on wet ice or equivalent cooling material and packaged in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.

Integrity

Do not pass the specimen into toilet

Do not urinate in the specimen container

Do not take a laxative before collecting the specimen

Normal Value

Negative for Norovirus

Turnaround Time

2 business days

Kit

Kits may be obtained Monday - Friday between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm from the RI State Health Laboratories Center for Laboratory Support Services