Quest Diagnostics has announced a new service allowing patients to self-collect specimens for common genital tract infection (GTI) testing at their nationwide network of patient service centers. This first-of-its-kind service aims to provide more discreet and convenient access to testing and treatment for conditions such as vaginitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and Mycoplasma genitalium.
The self-collection option is available at no extra charge at any of Quest’s 2,000 patient service centers with a physician’s order or through Quest’s consumer-initiated test platform at questhealth.com.
Kathleen Valentine, Vice President and General Manager of Women’s and Reproductive Health Services at Quest Diagnostics, stated: “Quest is constantly looking for ways to meet the needs of the communities we serve to empower choice and convenience as well as better health outcomes. Giving patients the option to self-collect in our patient service centers will increase access to important sexual health testing for many.”
The new offering utilizes the FDA-cleared Aptima Multi-test swab for patient-collected vaginal specimens. Patients with symptoms may, with an electronically placed physician’s order, vaginally self-collect in a private room at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center using a simple step-by-step guide.
Dr. Damian P. Alagia, Senior Medical Director of Women’s Health at Quest Diagnostics, commented: “Unidentified and untreated GTIs can lead to serious, long-term health issues, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, chronic pelvic pain or problems in pregnancy. Specimen self-collection has been shown to appeal to many female patients as an alternative to a provider-performed collection but with comparable accuracy.”
The self-collection method can be used for testing six common infections and causes of vaginitis, including bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infection), and trichomoniasis. It can also test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and Mycoplasma genitalium.
This new service aligns with growing patient preferences for convenient healthcare options. A recent survey cited by Quest found that 51% of respondents considered convenience and ease of access as the most important factors in healthcare decision-making.
