Parkview Health working to speed up COVID testing

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – Parkview Health in Fort Wayne is joining hospitals and health systems across the state as part of the Indiana Department of Health’s lab testing network. In partnership with the state, Parkview says it has obtained lab equipment that will reduce the turnaround time for COVID-19 diagnostic tests in the region.

The health system says a new Roche Diagnostics Corp. cobas machine at Parkview Regional Medical Center will allow it to process a high volume of COVID-19 chain reaction tests. Parkview says most results will be available in less than 24 hours.

“We are incredibly grateful for the help of Governor Eric Holcomb, as well as Dr. Kris Box, Dr. Lindsay Weaver and Dr. Sara Blosser with the state Department of Health,” said Dr. Jeff Boord, chief quality and safety officer at Parkview Health. “Due to national demand, we would not have been able to obtain this equipment without the state’s support. We are happy to join their lab network to enable more efficient testing in our region and elsewhere as needed.”

As part of the agreement, Parkview says it will process tests for the state as needed and will offer lab services to other healthcare providers in the region.

Previously, Parkview says it relied on outside labs for processing COVID-19 tests, with results averaging three days or more. Parkview says patients will know sooner if they need to remain quarantined or isolated, and contact tracers may identify those who have been exposed faster.

“One of our top priorities throughout this pandemic has been to expand access to testing and reduce the time people spend waiting for their results,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box. “Our lab testing network is helping to achieve both of those goals by creating Indiana solutions, and we are glad to have Parkview Health as a partner.”

The health system estimates the lab will run approximately 400 tests per day.