Respiratory Pathogen Panel

CPT Code(s):
87633

Turnaround Time:
24 - 72 hours

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Specimen:
Swab

Minimum Volume:
1 swab

Transport Container:
Viral Transport Media Tube (with Nasal Swab)

Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature

Collection Instructions:
Nasopharyngeal Swab (NPS) collected according to standard technique and immediately placed in 1 - 3 mL of transport media

Rejection Criteria:
Bacterial swab specimen; specimen received in grossly leaking transport container; dry specimen; specimen received in expired transport media or incorrect transport device; inappropriate specimen transport conditions; specimen received after prolonged delay in transport (usually more than 72 hours); specimen stored or transported at room temperature; wooden shaft swab in transport device; unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label

Stability Criteria

Room Temperature:
4 hours

Refrigerated:
3 days

Frozen:
30 days

Clinical Significance

The Respiratory Pathogen Panel (RPP) test is clinically significant and diagnostically useful for the detection and identification of respiratory pathogens that cause various respiratory infections. It plays a crucial role in diagnosing respiratory illnesses, guiding appropriate treatment, and implementing infection control measures. The specific clinical significance and diagnostic use of Respiratory Pathogen Panel include:

1. Comprehensive Detection: RPP simultaneously detects and identifies multiple respiratory pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the respiratory tract, allowing healthcare providers to identify the specific pathogen responsible for the infection.

2. Rapid Diagnosis: RPP offers rapid and accurate results, often within hours, enabling prompt diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate treatment. This is especially important in cases where quick identification of the causative agent is critical for patient management and infection control.

3. Differential Diagnosis: Respiratory infections often present with similar clinical symptoms, making it challenging to distinguish between viral, bacterial, or fungal etiologies based on clinical presentation alone. RPP helps differentiate between different respiratory pathogens, aiding in accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.

4. Targeted Treatment: Identifying the specific respiratory pathogen allows healthcare providers to tailor treatment regimens based on the susceptibility of the identified pathogen. This helps avoid unnecessary or ineffective antibiotic usage and promotes the use of targeted antiviral or antimicrobial therapies.

5. Infection Control Measures: RPP is essential for implementing appropriate infection control measures, especially in healthcare settings. It aids in identifying contagious respiratory pathogens, enabling the timely implementation of isolation precautions and preventive measures to limit the spread of infections.

6. Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations: RPP plays a vital role in surveillance and monitoring of respiratory infections in communities, institutions, and populations. It helps identify outbreaks, track patterns of respiratory pathogens, and guide public health interventions to prevent further transmission.

7. Risk Stratification: RPP helps in risk stratification of patients, particularly those with underlying medical conditions or at higher risk of severe respiratory infections. The identification of specific pathogens can guide clinical decision-making, such as hospitalization, initiation of antiviral therapy, or implementation of preventive measures.

In summary, Respiratory Pathogen Panel is crucial for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of respiratory infections, allowing for targeted treatment, appropriate infection control measures, and surveillance. It aids in identifying specific respiratory pathogens, guiding clinical management decisions, and improving patient outcomes. By facilitating timely and accurate diagnosis, RPP helps reduce the burden of respiratory infections and improve overall patient care.