1. Jessica Gentry Tuberculosis Laboratory Supervisor jgentry@isdh.in.gov
QFT at ISDH Laboratory Collecting and Submitting Specimens for QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus
Jessica Gentry
Tuberculosis Laboratory Supervisor

2. Objectives Specimen collection and hold times Packaging and shipping
Reporting and results interpretation
Timeline for results
LimsNet
Cost of testing

3. Specimen Collection

4. Collection Methods Available
Single Tube—minimum 5 mL
4 Tube—1 mL in each tube

5. Blood Collection Methods

6. Blood Collection Methods
Blood from lithium heparin tubes will be transferred into QFT tubes when received at ISDH
QFT tubes must be shaken 10 times and incubated at 37 °C for hours.
After incubation, tubes must be centrifuged to harvest plasma.

7. Hold Time Option #1

8. Hold Time Option #2

9. Hold Time Option #3

10. Which Collection Method is Better?
Single Tube
It’s one tube!
More accurate results 4 tube draw requires specific and detailed pre-analytical processing that can impact the results
4 Tube
More flexible hold times
Whichever option is used, it is important to strictly follow the sample handling instructions exactly.
Improper handling could lead to inaccurate results.

11. Packaging and Shipping

12. Specimen Packaging and Shipping
All blood specimens must be packaged as a Category B, Biological Substance
ISDH provides collection tubes and shipping supplies free for local health departments
To order containers:

13. Ambient Shipping Supplies
3 components:
Lithium heparin collection tube
Watertight, secondary container
Rigid outer container
Secure caps
Include absorbent material inside secondary container
Paperwork and cans should be placed in UPS bag for shipment

14. Refrigerated Shipping Supplies
Blood tubes should be placed in a biohazard bag with absorbent material
Bag and ice packs should be placed in cooler box
Cooler box is placed in outer box
Outer box is labeled with UPS label and Category B label

15. Reporting and Results Interpretation

16. QuantiFERON Lab Report
Expected time for results: 2-3 business days

17. Results Interpretation

18. LimsNet

19. Ordering QFT in LimsNet
The same test name Tuberculosis will be used for both sputum submissions and QFT tests, but several updates will be made to this form
Test types: 1) Specimen (AFB Smear and Culture)
2) Mycobacteriology Isolate
3) QuantiFERON-TB
When one of these is selected, it will gray out the non- applicable items for each test type
Reason for test
Specimen information

20. Billing and Pricing QFT will be a billable test for ISDH:
LHDs may provide valid insurance billing information for each patient tested OR
LHDs will be billed $20 per test
This billing strategy will allow ISDH to recover the cost of the QFT tubes/ELISA test kits

21. Timeline for Go-Live Date
LimsNet changes are being implemented
Packaging and shipping materials are being purchased
Lab documents still being written/reviewed
Training materials for LHDs being created
The goal is to be offering this testing to LHDs by early summer

22. Questions?
Jessica Gentry, Tuberculosis Laboratory Supervisor Indiana State Department of Health Phone: