CDC reports STI test kit, lab supply shortage

Urine chlamydia, gonorrhea specimens tested outside

The CDC recently announced a shortage of STI test kits and laboratory supplies; most notably for chlamydia and gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification tests (CT/GC NAAT). Healthcare agencies throughout the nation are experiencing these supply shortages.

Due to the ongoing shortage, effective immediately, Salem Health Laboratories will send urine chlamydia and gonorrhea specimens to outside reference laboratories until ample reagent testing comes available.

What this mean for you

• Continue ordering current CT/NG test codes provided by Salem Health on your lab test menu.
• Salem Health Laboratory will collaborate with other commercial laboratories with capacity to accommodate testing so we don’t impact patient care. The laboratory will update the test code to ensure appropriate routing.
• Until further notice, Salem Health Laboratories will be routing all urine Chlaymdia/Gonorrhoeae Detection-PCR specimens to Legacy Health.Legacy will be performing Chlamydia and Gonorrhoeae by Amplified DNA, BD Qx Order Recommendations and Collection table embedded below.

Please note:  If you have a laboratory interface with Salem Health, you will receive a cancellation message from your EMR server that says, “Test Reordered as Procedure Override to Reference Lab”.  The lab will then reorder the test to mirror Legacy’s test, “Chlamydia and Gonorrhoeae by Amplified DNA, BD Qx”.

The CC also issued a letter to colleagues along with considerations for prioritizing STI testing while kits continue to be in short supply.  Please use the reference link provided for more clarification, https://www.cdc.gov/std/general/DCL-Diagnostic-Test-Shortage.pdf.

For more help, contact our Laboratory Client Services Department at 503-814-5227 to connect you to our support team.

Here is the Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Order Recommendations and Collection Protocol. (You may click on the chart to enlarge the image.)