COVID-19 FAQ

Q 1.What precautions should healthcare providers use with persons under investigation for
COVID-19?

When in a room with a patient with, or suspected to have, COVID-19, all healthcare personnel should wear:

    1. Surgical (medical) mask
    2. Gown
    3. Gloves
    4. Eye protection (e.g., goggles or face shield)

Q 2. All specimens must be obtained by a clinician?

A. CCL Labs does not currently collect specimens for COVID-19 testing. CCL will provide the supplies to collect specimen

Q 3. What specimens will be acceptable for testing?

A.          Preferred samples:

      1. Oropharyngeal (OP) swab in viral transport medium (VTM)
      2. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab in viral transport medium (VTM)
    1. Acceptable samples:
      1. Oropharyngeal (OP) aspirate or washing submitted in a sterile, leak-proof, screw cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container
      2. Nasopharyngeal (NP) aspirate or washing submitted in a sterile, leak-proof, screw cap sputum collection cup or sterile dry container

Q 4. Storage & Shipping

A. The preferred method of shipment is frozen samples; however, samples can be shipped refrigerated at 2- 8°C and are stable at this temperature up to 72 hours. Specimens should be shipped overnight to the laboratory according to standard operating procedures.

Q 5. What is the turnaround time for COVID-19 testing?

A. TAT is a 3-4 days.
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Q 6. Does a negative result for COVID-19 mean that a patient is definitely not infected?

A.     A negative result does not definitely rule out infection. As with any test, the accuracy relies on many factors:

    1. The test might not detect virus in an infected patient if the virus is not being actively shed at the time or site of sample collection
    2. The amount of time an individual was exposed prior to the collection of the specimen can also influence whether the test will detect the virus
    3. Individual response to the virus can differ
    4. Whether the specimen we receive was collected properly, sent promptly, and package correctly

Sources: Illinois Public Health Department & Arizona Maricopa County Public Health Department


Routine Clinical Labs

Q 7. What is the standard turn-around time on lab results to become available for viewing?

A. CCL draws labs and has all routine test results ready within a twenty four (24) hours window via the Web, Fax, or EMR integration.

Q 8. How does CCL address emergency lab draws?

A. CCL provides field techs for STAT testing. CCL arranges a field tech to draw on-site and to deliver the lab results immediately for emergency cases. CCL promises 5 hours STAT test service.

Q 9. Is quality control addressed regarding lab specimens?

A. CCL utilizes extensive tracking of specimen using handheld barcode scanners to electronically stamp the collection with identifying information including pick-up and drop-off times confirming names and patient information before the field tech leaves the draw site.

Q 10. What range of testing does CCL provide?

A. CCL provides the following, but not limited to, chemistry, hematology, immunoassays, and immunochemistry to molecular biology.

Q 11. Does CCL utilize electronic medical records (EMR)?

A. CCL has created software to interface directly with EMR systems used by care centers to ensure patient care information is collectively in one medical file to avoid duplicity. Once labs are ordered, drawn and resulted. CCL transfers all results directly into your patient’s chart in your EMR system.

Q 12. Does CCL provide Weekend Routine and/or STAT Lab services?

A. CCL provides pickup and testing Routine and/or STAT lab services 24/7.