Health Update
A:H1N1 SWINE-LIKE INFLUENZA LAB COURIER STANDARD OPERATING PROTOCOLS

The following are A:H1N1 swine-like Influenza Lab Courier Standard Operating Protocols. Protocols include transportation and storage requirement of nasopharyngeal specimens and pick up locations.

Transportation and Storage Requirements:

1. Influenza Virus Detection Kits contains:
   1. Requisition form
   2. 1 screw capped tube
   3. 2 flexible nasopharyngeal swabs
2. Collect specimens as soon as possible after onset of symptoms.
3. Fill in patient name and date collected on tube.  (Two swabs must be sent)
4. Complete DPHL requisition form.
5. Collected nasopharyngeal swab specimens should be placed into the screw capped tube.
6. Place the collected specimens along with DPHL requisition slip back into original biohazard specimen bag. 
7. Immediately place in a refrigerator (2 to 8C).  Do Not Freeze.
8. Arrange for transportation of specimen at 4 C (on ice or in cool van) to DPHL within 24 hours after collection.  Courier specimen pick up locations can be found below or at the following web address: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/lab/courierroutes.html
9. The DPHL performs confirmatory Real-time RT-PCR for influenza A and A:H1N1 swine-like

(DPHL) Pick-up Locations and Courier Routes:

1. DPHL couriers pick-up specimens on daily morning runs at specified pick-up locations (See below locations).
2. Pick-up locations should have the specimens ready to pick-up by 08:00 a.m. for morning runs.
3. Depending on activity and/or volume, additional afternoon courier runs can be added, when necessary.  For afternoon runs, specimens must be ready by 01:00 p.m.
4. Physician offices can drop off their specimens at identified State of Delaware State Service Centers and are encouraged to utilize these locations.  (See locations below.  If you drop off specimens at any of the other sites not bolded, please contact the site for arrangements).
5. Additional drop-off locations have been identified at Christiana Hospital, Wilmington Hospital, Kent General Hospital, Milford Memorial Hospital, Beebe Memorial, A. I. DuPont Hospital for Children for physician offices. Locations are the following:
   1. Christiana Hospital Location: There is a labeled drop box placed at Christiana in room L119 (Lower Level) on the counter beside the drop off table for Receiving for the placement of Nasal Swabs that are brought in from the outside offices for PCR testing only.
   2. Wilmington Hospital: The specimen box is inside the entrance to the lab, room L2169 (Second Floor) on the right hand counter. There is a buzzer/intercom next to the door to request access.
   3. For Christiana and Wilmington Hospitals boxes are brown and have signs on each of three sides that states- “Place swabs for swine flu testing to be sent to Delaware Public Health Lab in this box”.
   4. Kent General Hospital:  Specimen drop off location is at the front of the laboratory on the third floor of the main hospital in the processing area. A specimen refrigerator is located on the left as you enter the area. A container is located on the third shelf of the refrigerator marked with a green label in which the specimens may be deposited.
   5. Milford Memorial Hospital:  Specimen drop off is at the laboratory on the first floor of the hospital.  A specimen refrigerator is located on the right as you enter the main laboratory with a container marked for influenza specimens on the second shelf.
   6. Beebe Medical Center:  Specimen drop off is directly at the Beebe Lab and physician offices can go directly to Beebe Security for Lab directions.
   7. A. I. DuPont Hospital for Children:  The physician office representative should bring the specimen to Outpatient Specimen Collection Area (OSCA) on the first floor of the hospital; the Outpatient entrance of the hospital is closest to OSCA. Specimens must be properly labeled, according to the DHSS requirements. Specimens can be dropped off between 8 AM and 4 PM, Monday through Friday.

Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) Courier Route Pick-up Locations

DPHL Southern Courier Route

DPHL Central Courier Route

DPHL Northern Courier Route

For more information, please call the Delaware Public Health Laboratory at (302) 223-1520.