All patients for COVID-19 testing are required to fill out a COVID-19 Investigation Form (CIF.) This is a legal document issued by the Department of Health in order to properly keep track of patient information and health history.

After filling out the CIF, patients are directed to the Swabbing area. This is where your specimens are collected by trained personnel, following strict aseptic collection techniques to ensure safety of both patient and specimen.

Following proper specimen transport and storage methods, the specimens are brought to the receiving area and are given a unique accession code. This will also reflect in the official result form with a QR code that patients may also use to verify their details.

The specimens are then brought to the specimen preparation area where the viral RNA is extracted by high-end molecular laboratory equipment, manned by professionals highly-trained in Molecular Diagnostic techniques, Biosafety, and Biosecurity.

The trained Medical Technologists will now combine the individually extracted RNA specimens to the PCR-grade chemical formula using Molecular Diagnostic techniques. Then, these specimens are run in the RT-PCR machine. Two genes are tested to detect SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent for COVID-19.These genes are called E-Gene, to generally detect viruses within the Coronaviridaefamily, and RdRP Gene which is specific for SARS-CoV-2. After a few hours, results will be released from the RT-PCR machine.The numerical values as well as graphs given by the machine are interpreted and validated by the Medical Technologists and Pathologist, to determine if these results meet the correct cut-off values and criteria for a positive or negative result. The yielded values may fall into different stages of viral infectious cycle.  It could fall into incubation, peak of infection with a high viral load yield, and recovering stage where the viral load will already be going down.  Your Attending Physician will advise you on how your health condition will best be managed.

Once results are validated, they will now be encoded and will undergo another series of checking and validation. Only then will these be released and sent to the patient’s e-mail addresses.

The SPCMC Molecular Laboratory follows strict process flows and protocols in order to ensure proper processing of specimens to give patients accurate results. Our dedicated and hard-working staff never fail to perform the task assigned to them at their optimal best, giving the patients the most efficient service they deserve. SPCMC Services’ Prime Objective is to always be Patient Centered as we consider this as one of the most important dimension in Healthcare Quality Management.  With rigorous trainings and studies, we are confident that our Molecular Laboratory staff are fully academically and skillfully equipped under the leadership of a highly trained and specialized Medical Practitioner to manage and run Molecular Laboratory procedures.

In advanced celebration of our 1 year in service, we thank you for trusting SPCMC Molecular Laboratory.