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Test Code FTFN or LAB2334 Fetal Fibronectin (fFN)

Important Note

Specimens must be collected with a special collection kit. To obtain one of these kits, please call Bronson Laboratory Services at 269-341-6440. 

Specimen Requirements

Asymptomatic Females

Container Type:

Required: Hologic Rapid fFN Specimen Collection Kit (see important note section above)

  • Dacron swab
  • Rapid fFN tube
Collection Instructions:
  1. Specimen source is required.
  2. Obtain the specimen from the posterior fornix of the vagina or ectocervical region of the external cervical os during a sterile speculum examination.
  3. The swab should be inserted into the vagina and lightly rotated across the posterior fornix or around the ectocervical region of the external cervical os for approximately 10 seconds to absorb cervicovaginal secretions.
  4. Carefully remove the swab from the vagina or cervical os and immerse the swab tip into the fFN tube.
  5. Break the shaft (at the score) even with the top of the tube.
  6. Align the shaft with the hole inside the tube cap and push down tightly over the shaft to seal the tube.
  7. Label the tube with the patient's full name, date of birth, medical record number, date and time of collection, and source of the specimen.
  8. Keep the specimen cool during transport to the laboratory.
Specimen Transport:

Refrigerated
Processing Instructions: 

Bring the sample directly to the chemistry department.

 

Symptomatic Females

Container Type:

Required: Hologic Rapid fFN Specimen Collection Kit (see important note section above)

  • Dacron swab
  • Rapid fFN tube
Collection Instructions:
  1. Specimen source is required.
  2. Obtain the specimen from the posterior fornix of the vagina during a sterile speculum examination.
  3. The swab should be inserted into the vagina and lightly rotated across the posterior fornix for approximately 10 seconds to absorb cervicovaginal secretions.
  4. Carefully remove the swab from the vagina or cervical os and immerse the swab tip into the fFN tube.
  5. Break the shaft (at the score) even with the top of the tube.
  6. Align the shaft with the hole inside the tube cap and push down tightly over the shaft to seal the tube.
  7. Label the tube with the patient's full name, date of birth, medical record number, date and time of collection, and source of the specimen.
  8. Keep the specimen cool during transport to the laboratory
Specimen Transport:

Refrigerated
Processing Instructions: 

Bring the specimen directly to the chemistry department.

Specimen Stability

Temperature Time

Refrigerated

3 days

Ambient 

8 hours

Frozen

 3 months

Specimen Rejection Criteria

  • Specimens collected in any other container other than the Hologic Specimen Collection Kit.

Methodology

Hologic Rapid fFN Cassette - Lateral flow, solid-phase immunosorbent 

Reference Ranges

Expected value - Negative

 

An interpretive comment is appended to all negative and positive results.

 

Negative

  • Women with signs and symptoms of preterm labor and a negative fetal fibronectin result have less than a 1% chance of delivering within 14 days of specimen collection.

Positive

  • A positive fFN result may be observed for patients who have experienced cervical disruption caused by, but not limited to, events such as sexual intercourse, digital cervical examination, or vaginal probe ultrasound. Samples contaminated with lubricants, soaps, disinfectants, or creams may yield inaccurate results. 

Day(s) Performed

24/7

Expected TAT

Same day

Performing Laboratory

Bronson Laboratory, Chemistry - Kalamazoo and Battle Creek

Sample Retention Time

7 days

CPT Code

82731

LOINC Code

48039-2