We believe these dynamics affect not only Quest Diagnostics but the entire laboratory industry. "There is no question that before COVID-19, rates of workplace drug positivity were trending in the wrong direction … The enormous strain caused by COVID-19 may prove to be an accelerant on this disturbing trend," said Dr. Barry Sample, senior director of science and technology, Quest Diagnostics. We perform antibody testing in more than 20 Quest Diagnostics labs around the country. While we believe our gains in capacity will help improve turnaround times over the next few weeks, testing speed is largely a function of demand. We have reported results of approximately 14.4 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests to patients and providers in the United States. During the past week, Quest surpassed 10 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test results delivered to date. We have the capacity to perform approximately 50,000 diagnostic COVID-19 tests per day or approximately 350,000 tests per week. While we have ample capacity to accommodate current incoming orders, we continue to expand capacity to be prepared for future demand. Quest Diagnostics is among the first industry members of the Commons Project Foundation, which is focused on enabling people to access digital versions of their COVID-19 test results and vaccination records in order to more safely open international borders and resume economic activity. Hospitals and healthcare systems can submit specimens from these patients to us with a “high priority” designation. We expect to expand capacity further to 185,000 tests per day by Labor Day, with further gains possible. Demand for our molecular diagnostic testing remains high as the virus has spread across much of the United States, particularly the South, Southwest and West. Persistent high demand has strained our testing capacity and extended delays for test results (turnaround time*). Our Quest Diagnostics colleagues are on the front lines of the nation’s response to COVID-19. Quest Reports 2-Day Average Turnaround Time for COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Tests, with Capacity to Perform 200,000 Tests a Day Heading into the Fall. Changing dynamics affecting demand, supplies, and other factors could cause turnaround times to slip. Quest Diagnostics : Sharing results with your patients We are taking several steps to address these dynamics. Quest has expanded its patient prioritization program to include Priority 2 and 3 patients as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In December 2020, we introduced our $0 out-of-pocket QuestDirect COVID-19 testing option (for qualified individuals). Average Turnaround Time** for COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Testing Increases to Approximately 2-3 Days as COVID-19 Continues U.S. Surge; Quest Extends Testing to Underserved Black, Veteran and Prison Populations. Most of our antibody testing is performed on a test platform from Abbott that received FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) on April 26. New Study from Quest Diagnostics Validates Specimen Pooling, Specimen pooling is a technique that can expand testing capacity while minimizing the use of supplies. Quest Diagnostics has performed and reported results of approximately 6.6 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests and approximately 2.4 million COVID-19 antibody tests. Healthcare providers should visit our dedicated site for more information. We will monitor the situation and provide additional updates should significant changes occur with our COVID-19 testing. The company is now performing this test at its laboratory in Chantilly, VA, and expects to be performing it at its laboratory in Marlborough (aka Marlboro), Mass, by the end of the week. Plans to double molecular diagnostic testing capacity to 100,000 tests a day in June amid expectations of growing demand, Expands antibody test capacity with addition of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics IgG Antibody Test, Provides results in 1-2 days on average for both diagnostic and antibody tests, Facilitates same- or next-day day visits for antibody tests when scheduled in advance at Quest Diagnostics patient service centers, Joins CDC-led SPHERES consortium to coordinate COVID-19 genetic sequencing, Diagnostic Testing: Capacity at 50,000 diagnostic COVID-19 tests per day and turnaround times of 1-2 days on average, Antibody Testing: Capacity at more than 150,000 antibody COVID-19 tests per day and turnaround time of 1-2 days on average, Raises capacity to up to 50,000 diagnostic COVID-19 tests per day, Reports that capacity significantly outpaces demand, with no backlog for a week, Provides results in 1 day for priority patients, less than 2 days for all other patients, Provides results in less than 1 day for priority patients, less than 2 days on average for other populations, Extends Patient Prioritization Program to new populations defined by CDC, Quest is working with other labs through our trade association, the. For more information, visit www.QuestforHealth.com. Quest has performed and reported results of approximately 3.75 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests. COVID-19 testing is based on specimens collected by healthcare providers at their offices or other settings. While we are more confident now in our ability to meet demand and report results for COVID-19 testing than in mid-March, when we were still ramping up capacity, this crisis is fluid and unpredictable, and so is the demand for COVID-19 testing. We provide this information to allow the public to make informed decisions about where to obtain testing, before they order a test, should they find our times are too long. We realize this situation is complex and not easily fixed. These common-sense measures can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the country’s test capacity is available for those who need it most. Additionally, we have reported results of approximately 4.2 million COVID-19 antibody tests to date, with an average turnaround time of 1-2 days. (Healthcare providers should visit our dedicated COVID-19 Provider site for more information about this test.). We are expanding our outreach to healthcare providers, including those with unique needs, such as nursing homes and federally qualified healthcare centers (FQHCs). The laboratory industry's ability to add testing capacity is limited by a range of issues. *Turnaround time for molecular diagnostic and antibody testing includes the time to transport a specimen to a Quest Diagnostics laboratory after collecting it at a patient service center or provider site to reporting results. Rapid growth in demand is stemming from: increasing spread of the virus across much of the United States; pre-op patients being tested before undergoing procedures in hospital settings; demand from  additional sectors, such as federally qualified healthcare centers (FQHCs), nursing homes and prisons; orders from drive/walk through community events held in collaboration with government agencies and corporations; and organizations bringing employees back to work; among other factors. We continue our outreach to healthcare providers, including those with unique needs, such as nursing homes and federally qualified healthcare centers (FQHCs). Quest Diagnostics has reported results of approximately 11.2 million COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests performed to date. On August 4, JAMA Network Open published a research letter submitted by medical experts from Quest Diagnostics that found a 46 percent decline in newly diagnosed cases of 6 cancers during the pandemic, based on analysis of de-identified laboratory test results. The pandemic continues to surge across much of the United States. Learn more about joining our team by visiting our Careers Page. Since we started to provide COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing in March, we have distributed approximately 3.5 million collection kits. Our patient prioritization program includes patients that may be considered Priority 1, 2 and 3 under CDC criteria. It does not reflect retrospective analysis of tests that may be outstanding due to past ordering patterns. Putnam Hospital. While Quest has the supplies to meet its current capacity targets, the supply chain globally continues to be under strain. All third party marks— ® and ™— Orders for our molecular diagnostic services grew by approximately 50 percent over the past three weeks. Evexia Diagnostics provides access to a network of over 6,000 carefully selected mobile phlebotomists, covering almost every major city in the U.S. The QuestDirect offering is unique among COVID-19 consumer-initiated tests for providing specimen collection at more than 500 participating Walmart® drive-thru locations – many with same- or next-day appointments – reducing time associated with waiting on long lines or for a home kit to be delivered. Quest Diagnostics is actively seeking talented phlebotomy, specimen management and molecular laboratory staff to address increased testing demands we are experiencing for COVID-19 and other testing. Our priority is the health and safety of our employees, patients and the communities we serve. It begins at the end of the day on which a specimen was collected and ends at the end of the day on which we report the result. Importantly, the issue did not affect or delay reporting of test results to providers and patients. Changing dynamics affecting demand, supplies, and other factors could cause turnaround times to slip. We now have capacity to provide 200,000 COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests a day. As a result of these dynamics, our average turnaround time* for reporting test results is now over two days for our priority 1 patients, compared to 1 day a week ago. (We do not manufacture specimen collection kits, which typically involve a swab and other materials that a healthcare provider uses to collect a respiratory specimen.). **Turnaround time for molecular diagnostic and antibody testing includes the time to transport a specimen to a Quest Diagnostics laboratory after collecting it at a patient service center or provider site to reporting results. We now have the capacity to perform approximately 200,000 antibody tests a day or 1.4 million a week. Our average turnaround time to report results from time of specimen pickup continues to be 4-5 days on average, same as during the last week of March (See Media statement dated March 24). All rights reserved. Turnaround time can fluctuate with demand and vary by region. Raises capacity to … Turnaround time can fluctuate with demand and vary by region. *The FDA EUAs pertain to the Quest Diagnostics SARS-CoV-2 RNA, Qualitative Real Time RT-PCR (Quest SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR), a proprietary test developed and validated by Quest Diagnostics for use on respiratory specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19 by their healthcare provider. Testing: https://app.box.com/s/djpwi9bt8bwnaptdvvvtxkgotszvw0hp, Self Collection Kit: https://app.box.com/s/va5ciaem0yys5rpomdjxi4ew7oxqo5iq, Average Turnaround Time for COVID-19 Testing Holds Steady at 1-2 Days. Quest Diagnostics has provided more COVID-19 testing on behalf of the citizens of Florida than any other laboratory and we believe we are well positioned to continue to effectively aid patient care and public health response for the state. We also continue to work with healthcare providers to prioritize testing, including for patients who are hospitalized, awaiting surgery or receiving care in congregate settings, such as nursing homes. Today, we add IgM antibody testing to our menu, available as a panel that includes IgG testing. Quest Diagnostics Has Performed and Reported Results of Approximately 800,000 COVID-19Tests. We completed this process by the end of March. Turnaround time includes the time to transport a specimen after collecting it at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center or provider site to reporting results. We perform diagnostic testing using three different molecular tests in 12 Quest Diagnostics laboratories across the United States. Quest Diagnostics was the first commercial lab to receive emergency use authorization from the FDA for specimen pooling for COVID-19 molecular diagnostic testing, on July 18. We are in constant contact with our suppliers, which are working to produce these goods to meet increasing global demand. Ended temporary pay cuts a month early for the vast majority of exempt employees impacted by temporary salary reductions. *Capacity depends on access to sufficient supplies and equipment as well as positivity rates. We are reporting diagnostic test results in 1-2 days on average*, and we have no backlog. Although we are rapidly expanding testing capacity, demand for the testing is growing faster, and we cannot accommodate everyone who wants testing and meet tight turnaround time expectations. This compares to an average turnaround time of 2 days for all patients and 1-2 days for priority patients, which we consistently delivered from late August to last week.