| PCR
testing available at St. Mary's Hospital
St. Mary’s Hospital is pleased to announce the availability of PCR testing to be performed at our hospital laboratory. PCR is utilized to detect pathogenic viruses or bacteria with extraordinary accuracy. PCR testing is enabling SMH to perform these highly accurate tests with a rapid turn-around time in our hospital. Prior techniques were either less sensitive or time consuming (sometimes taking 2-3 days for results). This year the biggest impact of PCR testing has been with the Influenza A/B testing. Eric Kopczynski, Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse at SMH, had the following to say; “With the PCR we are nearly 100% confident that the patient tested did or did not have the flu. Thus far the test has proven itself as an effective means for justifying patient isolation to prevent further spread of flu to both other patients and our employees. Thus PCR, due to its precision, produces an overall positive outcome for the hospital, patients, and staff.” The most recent addition to our PCR testing lineup is MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) testing. This test is used as a pre-surgical screening tool by many area surgeons. Prior to SMH bringing testing in house, PCR MRSA testing was only performed in Lewiston. If your physician requires this testing to be performed you can now have the collection done at any SMH clinic and they will send it to SMH lab for testing. In addition to flu and MRSA testing, SMH is also offering PCR C.diff and Group B Streptococcus. In a few short weeks, SMH will be adding Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing. SMH is very excited to be able to offer PCR technology and be at the forefront of innovative laboratory testing. |
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