Due to a vendor manufacturing and distribution issue nationwide, lab has a very limited supply of respiratory panel tests (19 assay testing) through at least the rest of December.
The vendor has placed all accounts on allocation, and the lab is expected to run out of test kits on Tuesday, December 19. A shipment is expected this week for Kettering Health (KH).
However, given the state and national shortages, we anticipate ongoing supply challenges and are making plans for additional inhouse testing options.
What you should know and do: Where appropriate, please utilize rapid Abbott ID Now testing as the first line of testing for COVID-19, RSV and Influenza A/B for patients with respiratory symptoms. Rapid RSV testing is available at all hospital facilities.
Additionally, should a patient require a molecular respiratory panel, the test will be sent out to Diatherix.
At this time, Diatherix is reporting a 24-hour turnaround time. However, Diatherix doesn’t run testing on the weekends.
If KH doesn’t have reagent, LAB90387 tests ordered and collected after 5:00 p.m. on Friday will be shipped on Monday and resulted on Tuesday. If KH does have testing kits (reagent), KH will run testing in-house Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; and will send out to Diatherix Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Diatherix accepts current swabs being utilized by KH.
Please contact Erin Hoffman at (253) 225-5733 should you have questions about a specific need around this test. The laboratory currently also has plenty of supplies to support rapid testing for any patient needing a result for COVID-19, RSV, and Influenza.
Thank you for your support and assistance.