Testing Supply Update From CDPHE

 

To: All Long Term Care Facilities   From: Laboratory Services Division? Residential Care Strike Force?   Body of Message:   Hello,   You are receiving this message because you recently received COVID-19 testing supplies from the Colorado State Lab, to replace Curative supplies, so your facility can continue testing staff and residence.    Since these supplies may be new to you, or it has been a while since you have used these types of swabs, we wanted to provide some guidance! These swabs can be used to collect patient samples and sent to either the CDPHE state lab or the Mako lab for lab processing.    You received Sorfa Swab Kits.  Click here to see an image of the Sorfa Swab Kits.    These are typically used as Nasopharyngeal (NP) Swabs, though you can also use them as 'nasal' or anterior nares (AN) swabs to collect samples.    **Since the NP swabs are a bit more flimsy than the normal AN swabs, if you use them on the anterior nares portion of the nostril, please make sure that you hold the swab closer to the foam tip and ensure that you collect a good sample from the patient.    For additional information about this swab kit or collecting patient samples, please review our Guidance Document for specimen collection and swab types. Included in the document is our Courier Request Form which may be used to order a courier to pick up samples from your facility. Courier services operate 7 days per week and can pick up samples on holidays if needed.   For additional questions, please reach out to our lab coordination team: cdphe_labcoordinators@state.co.us, or work with Mako to obtain new supplies.