WHAT IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 (formally known as 2019-nCoV) is the name for the respiratory syndrome caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The World Health Organization recently declared COVID-19 an international public health emergency.
DOES Atlanta Medical Testing Services PROVIDE TESTING FOR COVID-19?
Yes. Through Quest Diagnostics, Atlanta Medical Testing Services is one of the labs processing the complex COVID-19 testing during this public health emergency. Keep in mind that you need to contact a doctor or authorized healthcare provider to have your specimen collected (for example, nose or throat swab). You cannot go to a Atlanta Medical Testing Services patient service center for specimen collection of an active COVID-19 PCR infection, but Atlanta Medical Testing Services locations can collect for the IgG antibody test.
ARE Atlanta Medical Testing Services AND QUEST INCREASING ITS TESTING CAPACITY TO MEET DEMAND?
Yes. Atlanta Medical Testing Services and Quest have steadily increased COVID-19 testing capacity to meet the growing demands of both healthcare providers and patients in our communities. Demand remains high and we are processing tests as fast as possible.
HOW DO I GET TESTED FOR COVID-19?
If you suspect you may have COVID-19, contact your doctor or an authorized healthcare provider immediately for guidance. Your doctor can review your symptoms to determine what appropriate testing is needed. If COVID-19 PCR testing makes sense for you, your doctor will direct you where to get tested, which includes collecting your specimens (for example, nose or throat swab). Your respiratory specimens will be sent to a lab, such as Atlanta Medical Testing Services, for advanced testing. You may also utilize select CVS Pharmacy locations throughout Georgia for testing without a physician's order. For more information, visit our Where to get tested page.
HOW DO I GET COVID-19 TEST RESULTS?
There are multiple ways to get your test results. Your doctor will call you, or you can get them online through our secure MyQuest™ portal. MyQuest is typically the fastest way to get your results; however, it can only access your results if your doctor sent your test specimens to Atlanta Medical Testing Services. If you don’t already have a MyQuest account, signing up is free and easy.
CAN I GO TO A Atlanta Medical Testing Services PATIENT SERVICE CENTER TO BE TESTED?
For PCR testing, you must reach out to your doctor or an authorized healthcare provider for guidance on you where to get tested, which includes collecting your specimens (for example, nose or throat swab). Atlanta Medical Testing Services does not collect COVID-19 PCR test specimens at our patient service centers. The respiratory specimens collected by your healthcare provider are then sent to labs like Atlanta Medical Testing Services to process the tests. For IgG tests, Atlanta Medical Testing Services can collect specimens at any of our statewide Atlanta Medical Testing Services locations.
IS IT SAFE TO GO TO A Atlanta Medical Testing Services PATIENT SERVICE CENTER FOR OTHER TESTING SERVICES NOT RELATED TO COVID-19?
Yes. Atlanta Medical Testing Services has strong safety procedures in place at all times. These protect patients and employees from coming in contact with any infectious diseases. During the COVID-19 public health crisis, we have taken more precautions. Strengthened measures include:
• Patients are brought to an empty draw room when available to shorten the waiting room stay.
• Patients are required wear a face covering when visiting Atlanta Medical Testing Services. Homemade face coverings and bandanas are fine.
• Only patients are allowed to enter a Atlanta Medical Testing Services facility unless a caregiver is needed. Caregivers must also wear a face covering,
• Gloves are provided to patients as requested.
• Draw room chairs and other surfaces are thoroughly cleaned between patients
• Social distancing is fostered by limiting the number of chairs in the PSC waiting rooms.
• Enhanced COVID-19 safety training for employees and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Also, patients who suspect they have an active COVID-19 infection should not come to our patient service centers. They should contact their doctor or an authorized healthcare provider.
CAN I ORDER THIS TEST ONLINE FOR MYSELF?
Yes. Through QuestDirect™, you are able to order your own COVID-19 active infection test. We offer the option to be tested at select Walmart Neighborhood Market Pharmacy drive thrus or through an at-home kit. QuestDirect even offers a $0 out-of-pocket option. We also offer the test option to check for COVID-19 antibodies. To learn more, visit Atlanta Medical Testing Serviceslab.com/questdirect. As a reminder, Atlanta Medical Testing Services does not collect specimens for COVID-19 active infections in our Patient Service Centers, but we do collect specimens for COVID-19 antibody testing at our labs.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
For answers to more questions about COVID-19, healthcare providers and patients are welcome to call 866-404-1550, the national call center provided by Quest Diagnostics. This call center can provide answers to many questions, but they cannot provide answers regarding patient results.
CDC COVID-19 TEST STATEMENTS:
The test has not been FDA cleared or approved or authorized. The test has been validated according to CLIA, but FDA’s independent review of this validation is pending.