When we started testing for COVID-19 early in the pandemic, we set a long-term goal to be able to perform all COVID-19 tests locally by Salem Health Laboratories. This is now a reality! By having timely access to laboratory testing, patients have access to the best sensitivity and specificity available for COVID-19 testing. There is also now a single standard for testing, which simplifies the process for providers and gives patients a better experience.
We are using the nucleic acid testing and PCR testing — the same methods as national reference laboratories. There is now one Epic order code for all patients: LAB4147.
The biggest change for providers is that point-of-care outpatient testing at Salem Health Laboratory – Dallas will no longer be available. However, this provides a significant improvement to the service we give our patients. The laboratory based tests are better for our patients because they provide for:
Point of Care outpatient testing was an excellent, temporary, way for us to access results earlier on in the pandemic. However, it was time intensive. We are now seeing an increase in the volume of COVID patients and have the ability to increase testing throughput without supply constraints previously experienced during the pandemic. This expansion of lab testing allows us to do that. Point of Care testing will remain available in clinics and select hospital units.
Providers who see non-Salem Health patients are able to refer them to Salem Health labs for testing. This testing is available to all patients in our community.
As a reminder, Salem Health Laboratories provides COVID-19 collections at the following locations: