South Georgia Medical Center’s Laboratory has received its initial supply of COVID-19 testing kits and beginning next week will have the ability to perform tests with a rapid turnaround of less than two hours.
SGMC maintains a state-of-the-art full service lab which is accredited by The Joint Commission and operates both the Cepheid and BioFire Molecular Diagnostic Testing platforms, both of which have been approved by the FDA EUA for COVID-19 testing. Cepheid testing kits arrived today and validation of the testing system is underway and will be ready for use thereafter.
“In-hospital testing capability is a game-changer for health care systems because of the rapid turn around and accelerated clinical decision making,” said SGMC Chief Medical Officer Brian Dawson.
“The rapid result helps our physicians admit patients to appropriate units quicker. Additionally, patients who no longer need inpatient care can be discharged sooner,” he said.
The in hospital testing will be initially performed on select inpatients only until more testing kits are made available. SGMC established a partnership with Mayo Clinic that allows for testing turnaround within 48 hours. This service will continue for all other patients tested thorough its laboratory service.
SGMC’s three board certified Pathologists oversee testing in Chemistry, Hematology, Blood banking, Microbiology, Molecular Microbiology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Histology and Pathology.