Test Code GASS Group A Streptococcus Antigen, Rapid, w/ Reflex to Throat Culture

Performing Location

Specimen	Min. Test Volume	Collection Container	Special Handling
Throat/Pharyngeal Swab		Dual Swab Culturette	Crush ampule to release transport media. Dry swabs are not suitable for processing

Assay	Gender	Age Range	Normal Range	Critical Values	Units
GASS	ALL	0 Minutes – 150 Years	No Group A Strep antigen detected. No Beta Streptococcus isolated after 48 hours

Assay

Gender

Age Range

Normal Range

Critical Values

Units

GASS

ALL

0 Minutes – 150 Years

No Group A Strep antigen detected.

No Beta Streptococcus isolated after 48 hours

Select a dual swab culturette for collection of the specimen. Remove swab from transport tube.
Depress tongue gently with a tongue depressor.
Extend the sterile dual swab between the tonsillar pillars and behind the uvula. Avoid touching the cheeks, tongue, uvula, or lips.
Sweep the swabs back and forth across the posterior pharynx, tonsillar areas and any inflamed or ulcerated areas to obtain sample.
Replace the swabs in the transport tube and crush the ampule while holding the ampule upward.
THE AMPULE MUST BE CRUSHED so that transport tube moistens the end of the swab to insure the viability of the microorganisms.
If only a single swab is obtained from the oropharyngeal source, only a culture will be performed.

48 hours at 15-26°C

Daily

87880

18481-2