COVID-19

SA Pathology Fast Tracks Delivery of COVID-19 Results

Item: SA Pathology Fast Tracks Delivery of COVID-19 Results
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Author: Kelly Noble

By Kelly Noble

Posted on April 19, 2020

South Australians will be able to access COVID-19 results sooner as SA Pathology launches a new digital health service.

Minister for Health and Wellbeing Stephen Wade said the service will streamline the process of delivering negative test results, enabling patients the ability to access them from a secure online platform anywhere at any time.

“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a surge in calls to SA Pathology from patients needing their COVID-19 test results, which has caused some delays,” said.

“Almost 99% of South Australians have returned negative tests. It is important that patients get early peace of mind and are able to stop self-isolating.

“Developed in conjunction with South Australian technology company, Personify Care, the new digital service is another example of SA Pathology embracing innovation.

“This forms part of the State Government’s strong plan to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing patients with access to modern tools to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in our community.”

SA Pathology’s Executive Director of Clinical Services, Dr Tom Dodd, said that the digital service is an efficient and safe way for patients to receive their negative test results.

“We are performing in excess of 7000 tests per week, and on average, 98.7 per cent are negative results,” Dr Dodd said.

“The process of undergoing testing for COVID-19 and waiting for the results can be stressful so it is hoped the portal will reduce delays and ease some of the anxiety for patients.

“The service is simple to use with patients registering their details through an SMS. A text message is sent to alert them to when a negative test result has become available online.

“All test results will be manually reviewed before entering them into the portal to ensure accuracy, and all patients who return a positive COVID-19 test result will still be contacted personally to inform them.

“As well as providing timely access to test results, is also looking at a range of other possible uses for the secure portal such as the ability to book testing appointments at a number of the SA Pathology collection centres, and offering support tools for both patients and health services.

“This is another way that SA Pathology is working extremely hard to streamline testing services and rapidly respond to demand during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The SA Pathology COVID-19 Digital Health Service will initially be available at all metropolitan testing clinics and 8 regional clinics, with plans to expand the roll out across the state in the coming weeks.

For more information visit sapathology.sa.gov.au.