EMPLOYERS: Please CLICK HERE to schedule your employees for testing.

COVID-19 Combination Testing

We combine Nasal Swab & Blood Antibody Testing to get you results in as fast as 5-minutes. 

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StarMed Healthcare uses combination testing to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The best and most effective way to test throughout this pandemic is Nasal Swab and Rapid Serology combination testing. Because these tests have different advantages and limitations, we leverage both methods when it makes sense to provide the most comprehensive results for our patients and research efforts across the country.”

~ Dr. Arin Piramzadian, CMO, StarMed Healthcare

False Negatives

When might I expect a false negative result?

If you are tested before your body builds up the necessary antibodies to fight COVID-19 and you are tested only with the rapid antibody test, it is likely you will test negative. For this reason we feel it is absolutely imperative to provide combination testing, utilizing molecular PCR testing (nasal swab) for early infection, symptomatic, and high risk patients along with rapid antibody testing where it makes sense.

False Positives

When might I expect a false positive result?

There are seven known corona viruses to effect human beings, one of which is COVID-19. Two others were SARS and MERS which were not highly prevalent in the US. The other four corona viruses are:  229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1. Although there is seemingly no reliable prevalence data on these four, these strains are likely more common and could be reason for a false positive. Link to study

Education

Why is education around testing types important?

Emphasizing proper combination testing protocols along with appropriate patient education is a must at this time. StarMed utilizes both antibody and PCR tests when false negatives are more likely to occur.  Better testing will be available to healthcare providers by the fall of 2020. Please take the time to educate yourself on all available test types. If you have any questions we will always be a resource for you and your family.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

* Please reserve your clinical questions for our providers. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to serve our community.

* If you are experiencing shortness of breath, please go to the emergency room.

We have tested 793 individuals in the past week. Here are our ongoing results (updated at least weekly):

RESULTS SUMMARY – StarMed Healthcare, Charlotte, NC as of 6/19/20 5:47PM ET

TEST TYPE Total Tested Total Negative Total Positive % Positive
COVID-19
1,017
896
116
11.4%

Our team of molecular biologists perform tests onsite and obtain results using our QuantStudio™ 7 Flex Real-Time PCR Instrument.

Learn more about our fight against COVID-19

Disclaimer:

If we suspect you have a false negative or are considered high risk we will send off your specimen to our lab.