Molecular Diagnostics Workflow

Respiratory Swab Processing

The Challenge

This laboratory receives approximately 1,000 respiratory swabs per day for testing. Following receipt, samples must be manually sorted into different test groups processed by different laboratory sections. Staff scan each sample barcode into the LIS to check test requests and referring clinic to determine priority, then place samples into appropriate racks:

• Respiratory viruses and COVID-19
• Priority samples from aged care facilities
• Atypical bacterial pneumonia
• All other requests

The main challenge: missing priority samples and delayed result reporting.