BioFire 2.1 test for COVID-19 now available at WHMS

West Holt Medical Services is pleased to announce the addition of the BioFire 2.1 Respiratory Panel (RP2.1) to their lab test offerings. RP2.1 is the most accurate test currently available for COVID-19 capable of producing same-day results. The next closest facilities with the RP2.1 test are in Valentine and Norfolk.

RP2.1 can identify 22 different respiratory pathogens, including COVID-19, Influenzas A & B, RSV, and Bordetella pertussis. The sensitivity of the test to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is above 98% and led to RP2.1 being granted emergency use authorization by the FDA.

“Our leadership has been working very hard for many months to obtain this technology for our facility. This will allow us to substantially increase our capability for rapid COVID testing, as well as to test for other common viruses that can cause severe respiratory infections,” said Dr. Samantha Sholes, MD, of the West Holt Medical Clinic. “The quick turnaround time and the increased accuracy of this machine will help providers target treatment for patients in a way that we haven't been able to do before.”

Rates of co-infection of other respiratory pathogens with COVID-19 have been found to be over 20% according to some studies. A syndromic panel like RP2.1 can more efficiently determine if a co-infection is present by testing for all 22 pathogens at once.

Current PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 at WHMS can take several days to get results back. With in-house RP2.1, results should be available that same day, depending on the number of tests needing to be run at one time.

RP2.1 must be ordered by a provider, so if you believe you or someone in your house may benefit from this testing, contact your primary care provider.