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Test Code STP Sore Throat Panel

Important Note

New Testing Coming Soon to Munson Medical Center Laboratories!

 

Ordering Criteria

  • Patient Care Setting: The patient must be currently admitted for inpatient care. Do not order this panel for outpatient or emergency department management.
  • Prerequisite Testing: Prior negative screening is required. The patient's chart must confirm negative test results for Strep A, COVID-19, Influenza A/B, and RSV before this expanded panel can be requested.

EHR Test Codes

  Test Code Test Name
Atlas STP Sore Throat Panel
Cerner   Sore Throat Panel

 

Specimen Requirements

Preparation of Patient:

None

 

Container Type:

ESwab - Regular Flocked Swab w/Liquid Amies Medium

 

 

 

Specimen Type:

Throat Swab Collection - ESwab

 

Specimen Volume:

300 μL

 

Specimen Collection/Handling/Transport:

  1. Open ESwab sample collection pouch and remove the tube and swab
  2. Collect the sample from patient
    1. Have patient tilt head back for better visualization of the throat and say "Ah" to reduce gag reflex.
    2. Use a tougue depressor to avoid touching tongue, cheeks and teeth with swab.  Swab the posterior pharynx, tonsils, and other inflamed areas. 
  3. Unscrew and remove the cap making sure not to spill the medium
  4. Place the swab into the tube and break the swab at the indicated score line.
  5. Replace cap on the tube and secure tightly.
  6. Write patient full legal name (last, first), date of birth, collection date/time, and specimen source on the tube.
  7. Transport ambient room temperature or refrigerated 2 - 8°C if > 4 hours

 

Specimen Stability/Storage:

4 hours ambient room temperature

3 days refrigerated 2 - 8°C

 

Performing Laboratory

Munson Medical Center Laboratories

Microbiology

Priority, Frequency, & Turnaround

Priority:

Non-Emergent

 

Frequency:

24 hours 7 days a week

 

Turnaround:

2 - 3 Days

Methodology

PCR

Reporting

Reference Range:

Adenovirus Negative
Coronavirus (seasonal) Negative
Human metapheumovirus Negative
Human Rhinovirus/enterovirus Negative
Influenza A virus Negative
Influenza A virus/H1-2009 Negative
Influenza A virus/H3 Negative
Influenza B virus Negative
Parainfluenza virus Negative
Respiratory syncytial virus Negative
Chlamydia pneumoniae Negative
Mycoplasma pneumoniae Negative
Streptococcus dysgalactiae (Group C/G) Negative
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A) Negative

 

Critical Decision:

None

Clinical Significance

The SPOTFIRE® Respiratory Sore Throat (R/ST) Panel is a multiplexed PCR test for detection and identification of up to 15 common viral and bacterial pathogens in approximately 15 minutes from nasopharyngeal swabs obtained from individuals suspected of respiratory tract infections (Respiratory menu) or in throat swab (TS) specimens from individuals with signs and symptoms of pharyngitis (Sore Throat menu)

CPT Code(s)

87632

Billing

Insurance coverage for respiratory panels detecting 6 to 12+ pathogens in outpatient or emergency room settings is frequently classified as "not medically necessary" by insurance providers. This classification often leads to denied claims or high out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

To prevent unexpected financial responsibilities, patients are strongly advised to contact their insurance provider directly prior to testing. Patients can obtain an accurate estimated cost of service by providing the insurance representative with the specific CPT (billing) and Diagnosis (Dx) codes requested by their healthcare provider.