Appropriate Specimens include:

Nasopharyngeal Aspirate, Throat Swab using Copan eSwab Mini Tip FLOQSwab (orange cap), Tracheal Aspirate, Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Lung Biopsy. 

Note: If a swab larger than the Copan eSwab Mini Tip FLOQSwab (orange cap) is required, please consider using the Red Top Dry FLOQSwab - 552C.

Specimens from the lower respiratory tract provide a greater yield.

Testing will only be performed following approval by Department of Health and Human Services. (DoHHS).  Patients fitting the current Case Definition should be immediately notified to DoHSS on 1300 651 160 (24hours)

Urgent after hours MERS – CoV testing at VIDRL

Clinicians:

1. Requesting Clinician must obtain test authorisation by DHS. The requesting Clinician must indicate on the EPIC order /request form that testing has been approved by DHS (including details of DHS approver)
2. Requesting Clinician must indicate the appropriate contact person and contact details (mobile/landline) for communication of VIDRL results on the EPIC order/request form.
3. Requesting Clinician to phone ext. 55904 to notify the laboratory of DHS approved test.

Laboratory Staff:

1. Contact the VIDRL On Call Medical Officer on 0438 599 437 or the On Call Laboratory Manager on 0438 599 439 to notify VIDRL of DHS authorised Mers-CoV request PRIOR to sending.
2. Request that VIDRL fax results to 9345 5151 (CSR fax).
3. Arrange courier and specimen delivery to the specimen delivery box on the Grattan St face of the Doherty Institute (after hours and on weekends)
4. Interim results will be phoned directly to the requesting clinician on the EPIC order/request form by VIDRL.(please note that there will be a delay before final results are reported into EPIC)
5. Once the laboratory receives the faxed results, enter and save (interim report).  Scan a copy of the VIDRL report into Medipath.
6. The scientist MUST notify the Laboratory Services On Call Microbiologist via phone of any POSITIVE result

Further information: http://www.health.gov.au/mers-coronavirus