The change the medical industry has undergone over the last two years cannot be overstated.
Between procedural alterations, revolutionary responses, and the advent of new technologies, the degree to which professionals in our industry have stepped up is unparalleled. For example, many new laboratory experts stepped in to establish COVID-19-specific testing labs, the likes of which we still see running today.
But as we move further away from the initial panic of 2020, what does that mean for those specific sites and their workers?
A Decline in COVID-19 Diagnostics
Though the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it a barrage of obstacles and negative outcomes, the good news is that it did serve to advance the overall capabilities of existing diagnostic laboratories.
That being said, the new COVID-19 clinics that were established at the height of lockdowns now face a new challenge as time goes on: a decrease in overall demand.
“The response to COVID-19 has increased molecular diagnostics capacity; equitable access to diagnostics and better lab informatics systems are recognized,” a 2021 study affirmed. “However, the paramount need is to ensure that locally, nationally, and internationally, molecular diagnostics capacity and momentum for advancement is maintained.”
As testing rates go down, laboratories that solely offered COVID-19 services will continue to close, as they will no longer have an adequate source of income.
Reference Labs as the Reliable Solution
A decrease in COVID-19 testing does not have to be a detriment to laboratories that initially opened in response to the pandemic. Rather, it can open a new door.
In fact, “as diagnostic chains and insurance coverage expand, clinical laboratory tests are becoming more common,” Yahoo Finance recently reported in August of 2022. “This is due to the increasing demands for the early detection of diseases and the earliest possible search for causes to receive appropriate therapy.”
This means that COVID-19 laboratories have an industry-leading opportunity: If they expand their services, they can both continue industry advancement and continue their business operations overall.
Thankfully, by utilizing reference labs, the transition to this altered business model will be all but seamless. Additionally, outsourcing molecular diagnostic tests can reduce the risks associated with an increase in in-house testing.
Outsourcing Your Options
If you’re considering broadening the diagnostic horizons of your laboratory, the right reference lab will be more than just a resource; it will be a partner.
After all, reference labs offer the following benefits:
- Enhanced ability to test larger volumes
- Optimized efficiency
- Faster turnaround times
- Reduced costs thanks to eliminating the need for third-party reagents
- Increased ability to save time and effort when validating molecular diagnostic panels
- And more
Ultimately, teaming up with a reference lab allows you to grow your market share without worrying about labor costs and other overhead expenses.
And one of the best ways to begin implementing this new business model? Easy — partner with a molecular diagnostic reference laboratory like NCF Diagnostics & DNA Technologies!
When you partner with our team, you can get any of our molecular diagnostic PCR tests for a standard low price. Not only can you expand your overall service with real-time results, but you can satisfy providers’ requests for large molecular diagnostic testing in a streamlined and cost-effective manner.
Ready to learn more about the choice reference lab for revolutionary results? To learn more or get started today, simply contact NCF Diagnostics & DNA Technologies by calling (352) 375-5553!
