SPMC SPECIMEN TESTING EXPANDS TO 1K PER DAY

Along with two newly donated RT-PCR machines is a high-throughput automated RNA extraction system

SOUTHERN Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) will soon have the capacity to test an average of 1,000 samples per day as it already has four real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines.

In an interview on Monday, May 25, with SPMC medical professional staff chief Dr. Ricardo Audan, he said that they initially have two RT-PCR machines in their laboratory but last week, two RT-PCR machines, donated by the business conglomerate San Miguel Corporation (SMC), arrived.

Along with the two RT-PCR machines is a high-throughput automated RNA extraction system that would take less time and human intervention.

“Diba ang testing namo naga 150 to 300 the most so karon times 3, mga [around] 1,000 because of the automated extractor kay katong duha ka original, mano-mano man mi (Previously, we can test an average of 150 to 300 samples per day, but now, it tripled. We can now test around 1,000 because of the automated extractor unlike before where we do it manually),” Audan said.

SPMC will not be able to test more patients who are suspected of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). The increased testing will also help determine the extent of the contagion and lessen the risk of transmission.

Audan said the machines have not yet been used because it has yet to be installed by the engineer from SMC. SPMC expects that the machines will be operational this week.

“This is a big help because this is the gold standard compared to rapid test kay kung mag rapid test pa, antibodies raman siya tan-awon (If we do rapid testing, it only detects the antibodies and not the virus),” said.

Meanwhile, the City Government of Davao has been intensifying its community case finding using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), however, the results generated would still have to undergo the RTPCR machine for a confirmatory test.

From March 21 to May 24, SPMC has recorded a total of 234 Covid-19 patients with 109 recoveries and 25 deaths.

SPMC is preparing for an expected surge of Covid-19 following the region’s shift to a general community quarantine that relaxed some restrictions and allowed more movement of people.

Diba ang testing namo naga 150 to 300 the most so karon times 3, mga [around] 1,000 because of the automated extractor kay katong duha ka original, mano-mano man mi.

DR. RICARDO AUDAN SPMC medical professional staff chief