Highlighting the Versatility of the TestDirectly Direct-to-Consumer Lab Testing Portal

TestDirectly is an easy-to-implement and use direct-to-consumer lab testing web portal that provides turnkey testing solutions for medical laboratories and urgent care centers. It’s a versatile game-changing DTC tool that empowers patients, supports all forms of direct-to-consumer diagnostic testing/preventative screening, and eliminates traditional provider barriers such as paper forms, data entry errors, and processing and lab reporting delays. 

TestDirectly (TestDirectly.com) is the latest innovation from LigoLab, an award-winning provider of enterprise-grade laboratory information system software for clinical laboratories and pathology groups, and the driving force behind the all-in-one LigoLab Medical LIS & Lab RCM Informatics Platform, considered to be the most comprehensive and flexible LIS system and laboratory billing (lab revenue cycle management) solution on the market.

Discover More: Transforming Patient Care - The Power of Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) in Healthcare

“TestDirectly serves as a platform for enhanced and specialized laboratory services,” said Suren Avunjian, LigoLab’s CEO. “The direct-to-consumer lab testing portal enables diagnostic testing organizations to gain visibility and grow their operation and brand while delivering what patients want, and that’s a streamlined and unified patient engagement experience.”

Since its first release in the spring of 2020, TestDirectly has significantly improved both the patient experience and test turnaround times, enabling millions of patients to conveniently order tests and directly receive their results for a wide range of direct-to-consumer lab testing (COVID-19, sexually transmitted infection, urinary tract infection, wound, fungal, viral, respiratory, toxicology, allergy, genetic, etc.). 

TestDirectly emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the urgent need for safer, faster specimen collection and accurate reporting. Since then, it has evolved into a versatile platform that supports a wide range of direct-to-consumer lab testing scenarios—including drive-through and walk-up sites, concierge services, employer and school testing programs, government initiatives, travel-related testing, pooled surveillance, provider-distributed kits, and at-home test kits.

Access to Consumer Lab Reports

TestDirectly offers flexible and secure methods for patients to access lab test results, enhancing the patient experience with straightforward digital tools. Each testing scenario incorporates direct access capabilities, complete with email and text notifications that guide patients through the clinical lab workflow. 

Here are the three ways to access test results:

• Existing Accounts: Patients with pre-existing TestDirectly accounts can log in to view their results.
• New Accounts: New users can create an account using the email address provided during the sample collection process.
• Direct URL Access: For immediate access without first registering, patients can click on a dedicated link. This link directs them to a secure page where they enter an access key, order ID, and date of birth to validate their identity.

Regardless of the chosen method, patients can view, download, and print their consumer lab reports, ensuring easy management of their health information.

On-Site Testing Scenario

The TestDirectly on-site and drive-through testing scenario was a vital link between patients and providers during COVID-19 surges and continues to be an effective way to collect specimens at scale safely and in an organized way. Here’s an example of a drive-through collection and reporting workflow. The example showcases the portal’s patient self-registration/self-scheduling features. It also highlights email and SMS notification functionality when patient results are ready for review.

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Walk-up Testing Scenario

TestDirectly supports walk-up testing, enabling patients to register on-site without the need for pre-registration or appointments. Ideal for mobile testing units, patient service centers (PSCs), and urgent care facilities, this workflow uses TestDirectly’s Quickform registration. Patients simply scan a QR code with their mobile device to access the form and begin the testing process.

Concierge Testing Scenario 

TestDirectly supports concierge testing, allowing a medical professional—such as a phlebotomist or nurse—to collect specimens at the patient’s home. As with all TestDirectly workflows, this scenario accommodates all payment types and allows for the upload of insurance and payment information during the order entry. Once scheduled, the appointment appears in the TestDirectly scheduled orders queue, offering clear visibility into upcoming collections.

Event and Organizational Testing Scenario 

TestDirectly is an ideal solution for managing large-scale event and organizational testing programs. Launching such programs can be complex and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. TestDirectly offers robust customization and access control tailored to the specific needs, size, and location of the event or organization. Organizers can easily order tests, monitor results, and track compliance with full visibility into participant or employee testing data.

School District - University Testing Scenario 

TestDirectly’s intuitive design makes it an excellent fit for school districts and university testing programs, where multiple stakeholders are involved and the focus is on maintaining safe in-person learning and peace of mind for parents and guardians. When implemented effectively, the platform enables scalable, well-organized testing that can preserve thousands of instructional hours. Administrators gain flexible access control to view results by facility, staff, student group, or other attributes. For direct-to-consumer labs, TestDirectly also supports increased testing volumes without compromising turnaround times.

Government Agency Testing Scenario 

TestDirectly supports multi-facility onsite testing campaigns and batch orders, two big pluses for a large entity like a government agency. It also supports the creation of organization users, giving them specific credentials to create orders and view results based on administrative access controls.

Travel Testing Scenario 

For travelers needing to share their current health status, TestDirectly offers a simple and secure solution. Integrated with the SMART Health Card Framework, the portal enables patients to generate a digital record—displayed via QR code—that verifies COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results. With a TestDirectly account, users can easily access and share their verified health status whenever needed.

Pooled - Surveillance Testing Scenario 

TestDirectly supports pooled and surveillance testing, where specimens from multiple individuals are combined and tested as a single sample. This cost-effective approach enables rapid assessment of large populations. If the pooled sample is negative, all participants are cleared. If positive, follow-up diagnostic tests are performed to identify the specific source of infection.

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Provider Test Kit Scenario

TestDirectly makes it easy for providers to ship home test kits anywhere in the U.S., offering a convenient, patient-friendly option for at-home specimen collection. Each kit includes labeled specimen tubes and return shipping materials, allowing patients to collect samples at home and send them to the lab for processing. This workflow not only meets patient expectations but also creates a new revenue stream for providers. TestDirectly streamlines the entire process—from kit distribution and order fulfillment to electronic result delivery.

‍Home Test Kit Scenario

Patients can purchase a home testing kit from a retailer and register it using a unique identifier, ensuring their order is accurately linked to the specimen upon lab check-in. By completing a Quickform with basic details—automatically sent to the lab ahead of the sample’s arrival—patients streamline the testing process. Insurance documents can be uploaded during registration, and all payment methods are accepted. Once testing is complete, TestDirectly sends a notification via email or text when results are ready to view.

Vaccination Workflow

TestDirectly supports vaccination scheduling, allowing patients to select their preferred time and location for appointments. Providers can manage inventory by specifying vaccine type, lot number, and expiration dates. During check-in, follow-up appointments can be easily scheduled, triggering an automated email to the patient with the necessary timing guidelines between doses (e.g., for COVID-19 vaccines). TestDirectly also generates dynamic labels and vaccination record cards, pre-filled with relevant details such as administration date and injection site.

Webinar: Expanding Lab Services and Adding Revenue

Is your laboratory seeking innovative strategies to enhance its brand visibility and unlock new revenue streams through expanded testing capabilities? 

Are you curious about direct-to-consumer lab testing and how it might benefit your lab operations? 

If the answer to both questions is “yes,” the following on-demand webinar will serve as a good resource. 

The webinar highlights multiple direct-to-consumer lab testing workflows that support a wide range of diagnostic testing and patient engagement strategies. It also features valuable insights from a customer perspective, along with commentary on key industry trends to watch.

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