Dispatching the sample to a C&DST Lab

For presumptive Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) patients’, the health facility staff arranges for specimen collection from patient, packs samples as per the Standard  Operating Procedure (SOP) for triple layer packaging and dispatches it for transportation in cool chain to the linked Culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (C&DST) laboratory.

All necessary materials for specimen collection and modality for transportation need to be made available/ arranged at the Designated Microscopy Centre (DMC)/ Peripheral Health Institute (PHI) by the District TB Officer (DTO).

Steps in sample dispatch include:

• Add test details in Nikshay (Figure) to generate test requests (Test ID) for the patient’s episode ID in Nikshay.
  • This will enable instant online intimation about the upcoming specimen to the C&DST laboratory.
• Complete test request form for biological specimen by adding:
  • Patient information
  • Details on name and type of referring facility
  • Health establishment ID
  • Reason for testing and test requested
  • Patient ID and Test ID
• Put the appropriate address of receiving C&DST laboratory and address of health facility form where samples are dispatched on the transportation box.
• Lab Technician (LT) of the health facility should promptly inform the transport agency (courier/ speed post service) or human volunteers to collect and transport the samples.

Figure: Adding Test Details in Nikshay for Diagnosis of DR-TB; Source: Nikshay Diagnostics Training Content.

Resources

• Training Modules (1-4) for Programme Managers and Medical Officers, NTEP, 2020.
• Guidelines for PMDT in India, 2021.
• Nikshay Zendesk, Nikshay Knowledge Base, Diagnostics.

Assessment