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University of Toledo Medical Center Lab Can now Test for
COVID-19
The University of Toledo
Medical Center’s pathology laboratory now has the ability to
test for COVID-19 and deliver results in less than 48 hours.
The service will significantly reduce the waiting period for
patients and their physicians to confirm a diagnosis.
UTMC is the first laboratory
in northwest Ohio with the capability to test for COVID-19.
The medical center is
working closely with the Toledo-Lucas County Health
Department and other area hospitals to prioritize testing
for patients who are hospitalized with severe pneumonia or
who are in intensive care units with severe respiratory
illness. UTMC also will test symptomatic first responders
and healthcare providers who have had direct exposure to a
confirmed COVID-19 case while not wearing personal
protective equipment.
“Testing supplies are still
limited and we have to be strategic about how we deploy our
resources,” said Mo Smith, associate vice president of
patient care services and chief nursing officer at UTMC.
“However, by working with our community partners, we can
significantly increase the pace of testing in northwest Ohio
as we work to fight this dangerous virus.”
UTMC has the ability to
process 180 samples per day. Patients will not be able to
individually request a test. All testing must be ordered by
healthcare professionals, following criteria established by
the Ohio Department of Health.
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