At-Home Testing and Its Pandemic Response Potential

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of clinical testing and the need for medical laboratories to be agile and adaptable in serving their respective communities, despite unexpected challenges.

In January 2022, the U.S. faced a major surge of COVID-19 cases fueled by a highly transmissible variant. Several years later, the risk has eased considerably due to widespread vaccination, booster programs, and immunity developed from prior infections.

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 Liaison at BD. 

Here’s a summary of their Q&A, which covered the importance of at-home direct-to-consumer lab testing and a direct link between the clinical laboratory and the patient. 

Key Points Summary:

Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Lab Management:

• 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 Laboratory Software Systems, Automation, and AI:

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

Multiplex Testing for Efficiency:

• The symptom overlap between COVID-19 and influenza underscores the need for fast multiplex diagnostics.
• Early diagnosis is critical for timely treatment with antiviral therapies.

Challenges of At-Home Direct-to-Consumer Lab 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 Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing:

Convenience:

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

Efficiency:

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

Future of At-Home Testing and Direct-to-Consumer 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.
• The expansion of at-home testing to include more conditions will likely continue, optimizing healthcare resources while maintaining clinical relevance.

Conclusion:

• Direct-to-consumer lab testing will remain an essential element of healthcare, complementing clinical services and empowering patients with more 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 (first published on September 27, 2022)

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

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

LigoLab wholeheartedly endorses the steps taken so far. As a leading developer of advanced pathology lab management and laboratory billing solutions, it understands the importance of at-home direct-to-consumer lab testing that provides patients with convenient testing workflows. This understanding led to the rapid development of the TestDirectly direct-to-consumer lab testing portal.

TestDirectly (visit TestDirectly.com) 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. The dynamic portal 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, TestDirectly is a flexible 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 (consumer lab reports).
• 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 solution that reduces 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, and more).
• 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 (TestDirectly results time).

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.
• 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.

Discover More: Speak with a TestDirectly Product Specialist!

Modern Diagnostic Lab Software for Enhanced Patient Engagement

Discover how TestDirectly removes testing bottlenecks and links direct-to-consumer labs with patients for seamless at-home testing by visiting these additional resources.

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

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

LigoLab All-in-One Medical LIS & Lab RCM Informatics Platform

The LigoLab Medical LIS & Lab 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 integrates with advanced digital pathology solutions.
• Facilitates consultative diagnostic reporting with unparalleled precision.

Automated Lab Revenue Cycle Management:

• The lab RCM module initiates the laboratory billing cycle as soon as a test order is placed, driving accuracy and efficiency in 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 Laboratory Information System Integration:

• Integrates effortlessly with existing LIS 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 for labs aiming to thrive in today’s fast-evolving landscape.

Act now and discover how LigoLab can transform your lab’s performance and growth objectives. 

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