TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CareATC, a leader in workforce population health management, is now offering a rapid COVID-19 antibody detection test to member employers in an effort to help inform return-to-work strategies.
“As employers are considering return-to-work plans, CareATC is leading the way by offering COVID-19 antibody testing early on,” says Scott Stickland, CareATC President and COO. “Our goal is to be as proactive as possible so that our member employers and their employees can take the first steps toward recovery.”
Understanding Antibody Testing
In general, antibodies begin to be produced by the immune system a few days after infection starts and remain positive long after the infection ends. This is why an antibody test can be useful to detect a past infection with coronavirus and determine some evidence of potential immunity.
“Antibodies can be detected a couple different ways through blood testing. By taking blood from a vein, we can quantify how many antibodies a person has, which helps determine their immune status. Currently there are several laboratories working to gain this capability,” says Dr. Kim Hutton, CareATC Chief Medical Officer. “Another way to test immunity is to conduct a rapid antibody test, which is qualitative. It tells us if antibodies are detected, but it does not tell us how much of each antibody is present in the body. Rapid tests can be conducted with a drop of blood from a finger prick in many different settings.” Though the test does not convey how many of each antibody is present, it is regarded as a preliminary step that may be helpful to know if some immunity is present in an employee.
Distribution of COVID-19 Antibody Detection Tests
CareATC is beginning to offer antibody detection testing to member employers. If a patient displays symptoms of COVID-19, including a mild cough, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, and is still recovering, he or she should wait until asymptomatic or more than seven days has elapsed since onset.
All patients will need to consult a CareATC physician via a virtual visit or in person before they can be considered for COVID-19 antibody tests. Depending on the testing method, results are typically available within 20 minutes for a rapid test or two-to-three days for a blood draw.
CareATC expects to offer the intravenous version of the antibody blood test to member employers as soon as it becomes available, and the company has plans to incorporate it into upcoming Personal Health Assessment events and at CareATC clinics for member employers who elect to offer it to their employees.
Known Antibody Test Limitations
It is important to note that the rapid antibody test is not yet FDA approved. There are currently no FDA approved SAR-Cov2 antibody tests available. A positive antibody test does not mean immunity.
In some cases, a CareATC physician may recommend an additional nasopharyngeal PCR test or serial rapid antibody testing to make better predictions about immunity.
“CareATC is dedicated to continuing the fight against COVID-19 and providing our employers the information required to make the best decisions for their employees,” says Strickland. “We remain committed to educating ourselves and our employer partners and to provide the most up-to-date information possible.”
About CareATC, Inc.
CareATC Inc. is a leading innovator in the health technology sector providing on-site and shared-site medical clinics. By leveraging groundbreaking technology, CareATC offers customized population health management solutions for employers that reduce healthcare costs by promoting health, preventing disease and providing a shorter path to care. CareATC manages more than 150 clients in 35 states and cares for more than 300,000 patients. Accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care Inc., CareATC is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. To learn more about CareATC Inc., visit www.careatc.com.
