Providence Laboratory Services to test for COVID-19
March 18, 2020
Providence Laboratory Services in Portland, Oregon, has received the supplies needed
to begin processing tests for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The Providence
Molecular Diagnostic Lab will process tests collected in our eight Providence hospitals
in Oregon.
How many tests will you process a day?
 We can process 500 to 600 patient tests a day. We expect to run the lab seven
days a week to help meet demand.
What is the testing process? Is it the standard CDC process?
 We have been developing three different tests to provide backup should we have
difficulty getting supplies. Our primary test is run on a high throughput instrument
from Roche. This was the first commercial test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) to
receive FDA Emergency Use Authorization in the U.S. Our other two assays are
manual tests. One is based on the CDC protocol and the other is based on a
protocol published on the WHO website.
How long do tests take? How long is the turnaround to get results to
physicians/patients?
 We expect to release results within 24 hours after receiving the sample in the lab.
That could change as we increase capacity.
How many tests are already in the pipeline for you to test?
 Over 300 patient samples have been received since yesterday
Why is this lab able to do the processing?
 Our lab has over 20 years of experience in advanced molecular testing. We have
validated many of these lab developed tests for infectious disease over the
years. Back in 2009 during the Influenza H1N1 pandemic, our lab was the only
one doing this kind of testing in our state. We are fortunate to have seen many
advances over the last 10 years and now our colleagues in other hospital labs
have the skills and equipment to do this. They are actively developing COVID-19
tests so that our entire community can be served.
Why did it take so long to start testing?
 Initially only public health labs were allowed to run the tests. In anticipation that
might change, we began preparing to process the tests. Once we were allowed
to test, we ordered the necessary chemical supplies, which we have just now
received.

 Do you have enough supplies to test everyone?
 We have enough in the first order we received to test 2,000 – 3,000. We are
working closely with our vendors to manage supply. It’s important to know that
Dr. Amy Compton-Phillips, Chief Clinical Officer for Providence St. Joseph
Health, has been in direct contact with our primary vendor. They have committed
to supporting our health system to the best of their ability.
Can people come to the lab to be tested?
 No. The lab does not provide testing. The lab processes the tests.
Can anyone come to a Providence hospital and get tested now?
 If you have symptoms and are concerned, please call your primary care
physician or the public health department for next steps. No one can receive the
test unless it is ordered by a physician or the public health department.
What does this lab normally test?
 Our laboratory tests a wide variety of infectious diseases using PCR methods. In
addition, we have a state of the art sequencing lab supporting our cancer
patients.
Are tests just for Providence patients? Or are you processing for other systems?
 Our physician leaders are setting the priorities around which samples will be
tested in our local Providence Core Laboratory and which ones will be sent for
testing to the national reference labs.