Coronavirus test availability is increasing following a surge in demand and other events that created shortages and longer wait times for results, a federal health official says.
FDA approves fast-results antigen test for COVID-19
By
Alicia Lasek
May 11, 2020
The first federally approved test of its kind, the point-of-care diagnostic is administered using a nasal swab.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Nov. 2
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 02, 2021
Unvaccinated workers to pay for tests under federal vaccine mandate, report says … CNA Resource Center formed to address hardships faced by critical LTC workers … CDC: Coronavirus vaccination more...
U.S. labs predict COVID test delays, cite surge in demand
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 16, 2020
Long-term care facilities soon may face longer waits for PCR test results as diagnostic laboratories reach or exceed testing capacity, lab reps say. The warning comes as U.S. COVID cases spike upward.
Healthcare workers, elderly take priority as new COVID-19 test sites deployed this week
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2020
Thousands will gain access to new, high-capacity testing sites in the coming days, and certain groups will have priority status, say federal officials.
A needle, a patient and a tube: The challenge of phlebotomy
By
Gary Milburn, Ph.D.
Oct 02, 2013
It is commonly accepted that over 70% of all medical decisions are based on laboratory results and now more than ever those results are used to make rehospitalization decisions. To provide a closer look...
CMS will pay more to labs that process COVID-19 tests quicker starting Jan. 1
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 16, 2020
Laboratories that process coronavirus diagnostic tests within two calendar days will receive a higher Medicare reimbursement than those that take longer, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced...
CMS seeks to ease COVID staff testing burden on rural operators
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 01, 2020
Some nursing homes have been required to conduct staff testing at a higher frequency than necessary, the agency said in explaining recent changes to its testing methodology.
FDA: Viral mutations unlikely to cause false negatives in COVID-19 tests
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2021
The agency has alerted healthcare providers that it is monitoring approved SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests to ensure that new viral mutations do not alter their accuracy.
Nursing facilities in ‘hot spots’ to receive first batch of COVID-19 test equipment
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2020
About 2,000 nursing homes in regions where COVID-19 case counts are high will be the first to receive on-site diagnostic testing equipment from the federal government.