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MRH&C receives Abbott ID NOW instrument for Local COVID-19 testing

Posted 4/21/20 (Tue)

Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics receives Abbott ID NOW instrument for local COVID-19 testing

Mobridge, SD (April 20, 2020) Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics has received an Abbott ID NOW instrument for COVID-19 testing from the South Dakota Department of Health. The machine arrived at our facility on Friday, April 17 and we have trained select lab staff on how to process COVID-19 tests using this new equipment.

The arrival of the machine does not mean that we are planning to, or are capable of, doing mass testing. The machine allows us to complete COVID-19 testing in our lab at Mobridge Regional Hospital. Patients meeting certain criteria will still need to have their tests sent to the state lab for analysis instead of being processed in Mobridge. As before, each patient being tested will need to have a doctor’s order in addition to meeting other criteria prior to completing the test. We are not testing any asymptomatic individuals. If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing related symptoms, please call your healthcare provider.

The Abbot ID NOW machine allows us to complete testing locally; however, our capacity to run tests is still constrained by the supplies required to run the machine. Unfortunately, the cartridge and other supplies needed are in high demand by healthcare organizations across the country that utilize this machine. What this means for MRH&C is that we will need to remain good stewards of our new equipment as well as the scarce resources needed to use it. As we receive more supplies, we will have the capability to run more tests, but will still need to remain vigilant in our testing criteria. We need to strategically utilize what we have so we can do the most good for the most people within our community. We are excited for the opportunities this new equipment will bring to our community and are grateful to have it. It is our hope that our community knows that we have an excellent staff and Medical Staff who are ready and able to care for you when you need us. As always, it’s about life, it’s about you!