At-Home Testing and its Pandemic Response Potential

The COVID pandemic highlighted clinical testing and the need for clinical laboratories to be agile and adaptable to serve their respective communities despite unexpected challenges.

In January 2022, the U.S. had a surge of COVID cases, thanks to a highly transmissible variant. Now, a couple of years later, the threat presented is much less than it once was thanks to vaccines and boosters, and a large portion of the population also has varying degrees of immunity from earlier exposure to the virus. 

So what lessons were learned during the height of the pandemic, and how can the U.S. properly prepare for the inevitable next pandemic? 

Chris Wolski, Chief Editor of Clinical Lab Products magazine recently posed that question to Joseph Mann, MSN, FNP-C, Global Medical Science Liason at BD. 

Here’s a summary of the Q&A that touches upon the importance of at-home testing that directly links the clinical laboratory to the patient. 

Key Points Summary:

Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Testing:

• COVID-19 highlighted the importance of clinical testing, with billions of tests administered in the U.S.
• At-home testing has grown significantly, influencing patient awareness and expectations while impacting clinical laboratories.

Role of Automation and AI:

• Automation and AI in testing workflows reduce burdens on lab technicians and healthcare providers.

Multiplex Testing for Efficiency:

• Overlapping symptoms of COVID-19 and flu necessitate rapid multiplex diagnostics.
• Early diagnosis is critical for timely treatment with antiviral therapies.

Challenges of At-Home Testing:

• At-home testing increases accessibility but creates tension with public health needs due to underreported results.
• Result reporting automation ensures data is shared securely with public health officials to track outbreaks.

Advantages of At-Home Testing:

Convenience:

• Patients can test at home anytime without visiting healthcare facilities.
• Ideal for managing sensitive conditions (e.g., STIs) privately.

Efficiency:

• Allows healthcare providers and labs to focus on more severe cases.
• Supports telehealth integration, creating end-to-end care solutions.

Future of At-Home Testing and Labs:

• COVID-19 normalized at-home testing and user-friendly apps for guidance and result interpretation.
• Features like video instructions, clear result readings, and sample adequacy checks enhance usability and reliability.
• Expansion of at-home testing to include more conditions will likely continue, optimizing healthcare resources while maintaining clinical relevance.

Conclusion:

• At-home testing will remain a critical part of healthcare, complementing lab services and increasing patient autonomy.
• Automation, AI, and accessible technologies are key to balancing individual testing needs with public health objectives.

Here is a link to the full article (posted September 27, 2022)

CLP Magazine: Is At-Home Testing the Key to Future Pandemic Response?

Exploring LigoLab’s Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Solutions 

We at LigoLab wholeheartedly endorse the steps taken so far because as a leading purveyor of pathology lab management and laboratory billing solutions, we understand the importance of at-home testing as an effective way to provide patients with convenient testing workflows. This understanding organically led to TestDirectly, our direct-to-consumer lab testing portal.

TestDirectly (visit TestDirectly.com for more info) is a cloud-based portal that supports turn-key point-of-care workflows for testing providers, connecting them with patients for convenient direct-to-consumer lab testing. 

TestDirectly supports client customization and multiple collection scenarios, including at-home collections. 

Here’s a summary of what your organization’s at-home testing workflow might look like with TestDirectly supporting it.

Key Points Summary:

Overview of TestDirectly:

• Developed by LigoLab Information Systems, TestDirectly is a direct-to-consumer lab testing and patient engagement platform.
• It supports at-home and organizational testing, enabling labs to expand services and connect directly with patients.

Core Features and Benefits:

Patient Convenience:

• Online test kit ordering, shipping to homes, specimen collection, lab processing, and result delivery.
• Automated result notifications via email, SMS, or secure portals.
• Videoconferencing and consultations after results are received.

Digital Workflow:

• It replaces paper forms and manual processes with a digital pathology software system to reduce errors and delays.
• Integrates with all laboratory information systems (LIS systems) and laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) software.
• Streamlines capacity management, scheduling, specimen tracking, lab billing, and compliance.

Capabilities and Use Cases:

Testing Options:

• Supports all forms of testing (at-home, drive-through, walk-up, concierge, organizational).
• Handles diverse diagnostics, including STIs, genetic tests, and pooled testing with reflex options.
• Accommodates large-scale programs for schools, employers, and government agencies.

Operational Efficiency:

• Enhances patient and provider workflows by automating notifications and data management.
• Enables labs to process large volumes of tests while maintaining quick turnaround times.

Consumer-Driven Healthcare:

• Responds to patient demand for convenient, at-home testing and seamless experiences.
• Facilitates direct lab-patient relationships, building brand visibility for labs.

Specialized Features:

• Supports vaccination scheduling and compliance with travel requirements via the SMART Health Card Framework.
• Offers flexible result access through account logins, direct URLs, or access keys.

Outcomes and Impact:

• Since its 2020 launch, the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal has processed millions of cases across various settings.
• It helps labs unlock capacity, reduce bottlenecks, and improve turnaround times.
• It simplifies large-scale testing programs while delivering superior patient experiences.

Call to Action:

• Medical labs interested in expanding services and revenue opportunities can explore TestDirectly by contacting a product specialist.

Diagnostic Lab Software for Enhanced Patient Engagement

Learn more about TestDirectly and how it removes laboratory testing bottlenecks while directly connecting the lab with the patient for at-home testing by checking out these other informative links.

Case Study: How Atlas Genomics Supported the Tahoma School District’s COVID-19 Testing Program and How Other Clinical Laboratories Can Follow Suit

On-Demand Webinar: Learn How to Expand Your Lab’s Services and Add Revenue with Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing

Learn More: Expand Laboratory Services to the Home and Improve Patient Engagement with New Direct-to-Consumer Business Models

Industry Insights: LigoLab’s Direct-to-Consumer Portal: An Innovative Solution for an Industry-Wide Problem

LigoLab All-in-One LIS & RCM Laboratory Informatics Platform

The LigoLab LIS & RCM Informatics Platform is a cutting-edge, scalable pathology management software solution tailored to the dynamic needs of clinical laboratories and pathology groups. 

Designed to optimize operational efficiency and financial performance, it ensures seamless end-to-end data integrity while eliminating common growth obstacles.

Comprehensive Features:

Integrated Laboratory Workflow Management:

• Streamlines outreach, document imaging, specimen tracking, client services, and digital pathology.
• Facilitates consultative diagnostic reporting with unparalleled precision.

Automated Lab Revenue Cycle Management:

• The laboratory billing system module starts the lab billing process (RCM cycle) as a test order is placed, ensuring accurate and efficient financial management.

Flexible, Modular Design:

• Adapts to diverse laboratory needs with customizable features for enhanced scalability and innovation.

Key Benefits:

Error Reduction and Process Improvement:

• Minimizes errors and enhances laboratory workflow management with advanced automation and integration.

Growth-Oriented Pricing Model:

• Unique tiered pricing eliminates upfront licensing fees, aligning platform costs with your laboratory’s growth trajectory.

Seamless LIS System Integration:

• Integrates effortlessly with existing systems, allowing labs to scale operations while maintaining excellence.

LigoLab is more than just a laboratory information system software - it is a strategic partner in modern laboratory success delivering unmatched value in operational and lab revenue cycle management for labs aiming to thrive in today’s fast-evolving landscape.

Discover how LigoLab can transform your lab’s performance and growth objectives. 

Learn More: A Closer Look at LigoLab’s Commitment to Innovation