Guidelines for selecting respiratory virus testing

A variety of options are available for respiratory virus testing. Test selection should be made on the basis of clinical setting and facility. Several of the options provide testing for combinations of viruses, particularly Influenza A and B, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Additional information is available by following links to individual tests.

Additional clinical recommendations are also available for University of Washington providers on OCCAM.

Additional information on viruses circulating in the Seattle area can be found on the Pacific Northwest Respiratory Virus Dashboard.

Ambulatory Settings

• SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A&B Qual PCR [NCVFLU] is intended for routine Influenza A and B and SARS-CoV-2 testing in the outpatient setting.
• Order SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Qualitative PCR [NCVQLT] for routine testing for SARS-CoV-2 only, including for Fred Hutch community sites.
• If testing for RSV is needed, order Influenza A, B & RSV PCR Panel [FLURSV] for routine testing for RSV and Influenza A and B.
  • This panel does not test for SARS-CoV-2. If testing for SARS-CoV-2 is also necessary, collect a second sample for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Qualitative PCR [NCVQLT].
• For symptomatic outpatients at FHCC South Lake Union, use COVID/FLU/RSV Respiratory Panel, Rapid PCR [FABRCV].
  
  • COVID/FLU/RSV Respiratory Panel, Rapid PCR [FABRCV] can also be used for symptomatic outpatients at clinics located on the HMC, UWMC-Montlake, or UWMC-NW hospital footprints only if test results would change immediate patient disposition.

Emergency Department and Inpatient Areas

• COVID/FLU/RSV Respiratory Panel, Rapid PCR [FABRCV] is intended for symptomatic ED and inpatients at UWMC-NW, UWMC-Montlake, and HMC. Testing is performed onsite at all main hospital sites (HMC, UW-NW, and UW-MT) and FHCC South Lake Union with an expected turnaround time of ~2 hours.
• For rapid onsite testing of SARS-CoV-2 alone, use SARS CoV 2 (COVID 19) Qualitative Rapid PCR (ED & Inpatients only) [NCVRPD].

Other Testing

• UW now offers Influenza A H5 subtyping Influenza A H5 Subtyping by PCR [FLUH5]. This test is intended for hospitalized patients who are Influenza A positive. Ordering within the UW system is restricted to Infection Prevention and Control.
  • If an outpatient has symptoms and an exposure history for H5N1, please contact Infection Prevention and Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) immediately at (206) 296-4774.
  • Clients outside of UW Medicine can order H5 subtyping for Influenza A positive patients using standard ordering processes. Please contact the Virology Laboratory (206-685-6656) with any questions.
• We also offer the Respiratory Virus PCR Panel (no SARS-CoV-2) [REVSQF] extended respiratory virus panel. This panel does not test for SARS-CoV-2. It is recommended for symptomatic patients with negative COVID/FLU/RSV Respiratory Panel, Rapid PCR [FABRCV] for whom identification of a viral cause is clinically important (e.g. chemotherapy timing, severe illness, etc.) or for symptomatic severely immunocompromised patients (e.g. BMT, high-dose chemotherapy, etc.). This panel is performed daily, but is not available STAT.
• To order testing for subsets of the viruses tested in the extended panel, we offer the RSV and Influenza panels described above as well as panels for Adeno/Metapneumo/Rhino Virus PCR Panel [FUSAMR], Parainfluenza PCR Panel [FUSPIV], and Coronavirus (Non SARS CoV2) PCR Panel [FUSCOV].