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HelpTest Code FFN Fetal Fibronectin
Useful For
The Rapid fFN assay is useful for assessing the risk of pre-term delivery in primarily symptomatic women but also asymptomatic women with a history of pre-term labor symptoms.
Synonyms/Keywords
Fibronectin, Fetal, FFN
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Cervicovaginal secretions |
Rapid fFN Test Specimen Collection Kit containing a polyester tipped applicator and transport vial with buffer
Contact laboratory for kit |
1 swab in buffer |
Acceptable Body Sites
Cervical
Collection/Processing Instructions
Only samples collected using the Hologic kits will be accepted.
Specimen for fetal fibronectin testing should becollected prior to collection of culture specimens as abrasions of the cervicalor vaginal mucosa may potentially interfere with fFN sample preparation.
Specimen should be obtained prior to digital exam or vaginal probe ultrasound as manipulation of the cervix may cause release of fetal fibronectin. Do not contaminate the sample or swab with lubricants (K-Y Jelly), soaps, or disinfectants (eg. Betadine). Patient should not have had sexual intercourse within the 24-hour period prior to sampling (potential for a false positive).
During a sterile speculum examination, insert the applicator and lightly rotate across the posterior formix or around the ectocervical region of the external cervical os for approximately 10 seconds. Remove the swab and immerse swab tip in buffer. Break the shaft of the swab even with the top of the tube. Align the shaft with the hole inside the tube cap. Seal tube with cap and send to the laboratory as soon as possible.
For more information on Specimen Collection Media/Swab, see Specimen Transport Pictorial.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cervicovaginal secretions in Rapid fFN Test Specimen Collection Kit | Ambient | 8 hours |
| Cervicovaginal secretions in Rapid fFN Test Specimen Collection Kit | Refrigerated | 72 hours |
| Cervicovaginal secretions in Rapid fFN Test Specimen Collection Kit | Frozen | 3 months |
Rejection Criteria
| Samples collected with any other type of collection devices |
|---|
| Moderately or grossly bloody |
| Contaminated with lubricants, soaps, or disinfectants |
Test Information
If sending from another facility please call Marshfield Labs, 800-222-5835, prior to sending STAT samples. Stat requests will be completed as received. Please supply detailed call-back information, otherwise results will be called next a.m. during routine work hours.
Interferences
Assay interference from the following components has not been ruled out: douches, WBCs, RBCs, bacteria and bilirubin.
Care must be taken not to contaminate the swab or cervico-vaginal secretions with lubricants, soaps, or disinfectants (e.g., K-Y Jelly lubricant, Betadine disinfectant, Monistat cream). These substances may interfere with absorption of the specimen by the swab or with the antibody-antigen reaction of the Rapid fFN assay.
Test results are difficult to interpret if the specimen contains semen or if the specimen was collected less than 24 hours after intercourse.
Interpretations
The presence of infections has not been ruled out as a confounding factor to risk of preterm delivery.
A positive result between 24-34 weeks of gestation suggests a 12-16% chance of preterm delivery within the next 7-14 days. A negative/non-detected test result rules out preterm delivery with 99% confidence within the next 14 days following sampling.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| All Performing Sites | Non-detected (Negative) |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Urinalysis
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Dam | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Lateral Flow Solid Phase Immunochromatographic Assay/Hologic Inc |
| Weston | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Lateral Flow Solid Phase Immunochromatographic Assay/Hologic Inc |
| Eau Claire | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Lateral Flow Solid Phase Immunochromatographic Assay/Hologic Inc |
| Rice Lake | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Lateral Flow Solid Phase Immunochromatographic Assay/Hologic Inc |
| Marshfield | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Lateral Flow Solid Phase Immunochromatographic Assay/Hologic Inc |
| Minocqua | Monday through Sunday | Less than 2 hours | Lateral Flow Solid Phase Immunochromatographic Assay/Hologic Inc. |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82731 |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82731 |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| Cerner | Fetal Fibronectin |