Enhancement updates provide short alerts to new, fixed or improved Connect Care functions...
- Updated Respiratory Infection (Incl. COVID-19) NAT Order
Ordering of rapid COVID-19 PCR, rapid influenza/RSV PCR, and the respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) occurs using the "Respiratory Infection (incl. COVID-19) NAT" order. As of February 7, 2025, the RPP can be ordered alone when COVID-19 and/or flu/RSV testing is not needed or has already been performed. The RPP can be added on to an existing specimen in Connect Care within 48 hours of collection of the specimen. Add-on requests after 48 hours can be done by contacting the laboratory or submitting the ProvLab add-on test form.
- The RPP tests for SARS-CoV-2, flu, RSV, human metapneumoviruses, other human coronaviruses, adenovirus, enterovirus/rhinovirus, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. If testing for the full panel of viruses is required, consider ordering only RPP rather than rapid COVID-19/flu/RSV.
- Only request RPP or any other respiratory virus testing when it is required for clinical care AND meets appropriate testing criteria (severely immunocompromised, critical respiratory failure, myocarditis, acute flaccid paralysis, child with fever NYD after initial investigations, outbreak investigations).
- RPP is often tested within 24 hours upon receipt at the APL Provincial Public Health Laboratory.
See the updated tip sheet for further information: