By Pete Mercer
Finding the right testing option is always a challenge for physician offices. It’s important to find a platform that provides timely test results without sacrificing accuracy, while also being user-friendly for anyone that might need to access the platform.
In a recent podcast, Tammi Ranalli, the senior vice president of molecular diagnostics for Quidel Corporation, sat down with Repertoire Magazine publisher Scott Adams to discuss the new molecular diagnostic innovations at Quidel.
A new sample-to-result molecular platform
Quidel is introducing a new molecular platform, something that Ranalli calls a “10-year labor of love” to get off the ground. The Savanna sample-to-result molecular platform is a cartridge-based system that is easy to use and provides incredibly fast results.
Ranalli explained, “We all know that a hospital lab or emergency department is seeing a totally different patient profile than your typical physician’s office. Even within physician offices, pediatricians are going to have very different needs than a regular internal medicine specialist. We sought to provide the most flexible testing solution for different needs, without developing separate products.”
Savanna has two main features that make it a powerful tool for practices. First, Savanna provides a fast turnaround time for test results – about 20 to 30 minutes – which can greatly streamline patient care efforts for physicians and improve the impactful decision-making process. The other is a feature called Test Select, a variety of customizable panel sizes that allow the end-user to either select or deselect any of the analytes on the panel. With this feature, physicians can run a wider range of tests with ease and accuracy.
“The ‘one size fits all’ approach is not really a great option when you’re trying to address the dynamic needs of different types of providers,” Ranalli said. “These panels allow for testing of multiple respiratory viruses, including RSV, influenza A and B, and COVID-19, as well as GI panels, STI panels, and a broader pharyngitis panel. This feature puts the testing power back in the hands of the clinician, all within the same platform.”
“Our goal at Quidel is to democratize the benefits that our diagnostic tests can provide,” Ranalli said. “Working together, we strive to enable access, regardless of where you live, to the kinds of fast, accurate, and cost-effective testing that will allow your doctors to chart their courses of treatment with confidence.”