COVID-19 Testing: RT-PCR and Serology

One of the most commonly used diagnostic tools, particularly during this pandemic, is the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, which uses a person's respiratory sample to detect viral particles and determine if the person may have been exposed to a virus. Join Dr. Edwin Gould as he discusses sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR, the cause of false negative RT-PCR tests and the role of serologic testing in Covid-19 illness.

Target Audience

Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, laboratory personnel (microbiology), pharmacy and pharmacy technicians and all interested healthcare professionals.

Learning Objectives

  • Assess sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR for COVID-19 illness.
  • Recognize the cause of false negative RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 illness.
  • Determine the role of serologic testing in COVID-19 illness.
Additional information
Bibliography: 
  • Xiao, A. T., Tong, Y. X., & Zhang, S. (2020). Profile of RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2: a preliminary study from 56 COVID-19 patients. Clinical Infectious Diseases.
  • Long, Q. X., Liu, B. Z., Deng, H. J., Wu, G. C., Deng, K., Chen, Y. K., ... & Wang, D. Q. (2020). Antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with COVID-19. Nature medicine, 1-4.
  • Marty, F. M., Chen, K., & Verrill, K. A. (2020). How to Obtain a Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimen. The New England Journal of Medicine.
Resources: 

Baptist Health COVID-19 Resources: COVID-19 Testing

Course Summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 General certificate of attendance
  • 0.00 Florida Board of Laboratory Personnel
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Pharmacy
Course opens: 
06/01/2020
Course expires: 
03/31/2021

Edwin Gould, M.D.
Medical Director of Pathology
Baptist Hospital of Miami

Edwin Gould, M.D., indicated that neither he nor his spouse/partner has relevant financial relationships with commercial interest companies, and he will not include off-label or unapproved product usage in his presentation or discussion.

Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., conference director, indicated that he is a member of the speakers bureau for Amgen and Amarin, and he will not include off-label or unapproved product usage in his presentation or discussion.

Non-faculty contributors and others involved in the planning, development and editing/review of the content have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer

Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Baptist Health has been re-surveyed by the ACCME and awarded Commendation for 6 years as a provider of CME for physicians.
              
Baptist Health South Florida designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.25 General certificate of attendance
  • 0.00 Florida Board of Laboratory Personnel
  • 1.00 Nurse Practitioners
  • 1.00 Florida Board of Nursing
  • 1.25 Florida Board of Pharmacy
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