#Yellowstone pathology free

“I think this test was born partially out of frustration because, you know, the lack of testing impacted us as well,” said Durden. The mission is to provide some relief to state and local jurisdictions and eliminate that bottleneck, which leads to residents staying healthy in this global pandemic and moreover getting back to work in a struggling economy. “You know it's easy to send your test off and then, you know, suddenly you're waiting a week because once your sample arrives in some lab in North Carolina they pretty much tell you get in line,” she said. Waiting for a test result can be crippling, according to Durden. “We rigorously validated our test to ensure its quality and performance and have submitted a request to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization,” said Durden. The practice also invested in additional robotic technology to create their own high-throughput test. “It has the highest performance characteristics that you see for tests on the market,” said Brown. The materials for the test were sourced from manufacturers across the globe. “Our skill set and the independent nature of our practice have uniquely positioned us to act quickly in response to the testing shortage,” said Durden. Those with Yellowstone Pathologists say their practice of board-certified pathologists specialize in laboratory testing and the diagnosis of disease from tissue samples. “Our test is a PCR based test so we're looking for the RNA In the virus,” said Brown. Meanwhile though at Yellowstone Pathology as many as 400 COVID-19 samples are coming in for testing and, in turn, going back out within just 24 hours.īrown says the lab could even handle a capacity of more.īut how is it possible for this private practice to test for COVID?Īs Brown explains they had to build their own test kit from scratch and its not only effective it is considered the “gold standard” when it comes to testing. “People that need to travel people that want to go see their families.”Īnd the turnaround time is still a headache for many, most waiting as much as seven days in Yellowstone County to get their test results back from the county health department’s community testing site. “And that's had a big impact on a lot of people,” said Dr. Shortages were seen in sample collection materials, testing kits and even staffing.ĭurden says the impact meant a “prolonged turnaround time” for COVID-19 results which ultimately extended quarantine times for people needing to get back to work, school and even those needing medical procedures. That’s because months ago, supply shortages impacted medical laboratories everywhere. “We said, why not? Why couldn't we try to do this right here locally.”ĭurden is talking about testing for COVID-19. “We are experienced in laboratory testing that is our schtick, if you will,” said Durden. The lab performs clinical pathology services including those associated with surgical pathology, cancer diagnostics and testing related to women’s health such as pap smears and HPV screening, among other things. Yellowstone Pathology Institute is comprised of 8 total pathologists performing diagnoses based on technical results. She along with her colleagues have been monitoring the virus closely since its arrival. “You know I don't think that we're quite done with this epidemic yet,” said Dr. In Yellowstone County, positive case numbers have dipped slightly but the threat of a new mutated strain has been seen across the globe.

#Yellowstone pathology free

BILLINGS - Getting a COVID-19 test result can take up to seven days in Yellowstone County, but a private Billings practice has that length of time beat – and they want the public to know about it.Īt Yellowstone Pathology Institute they’ve found a way to offer the public a COVID-19 test that’s ready in just 24 hours, reversing the frustration felt by many when it comes to waiting for results.Īnd the test is free with the help of CARES Act dollars.