Public pathology and the PathWest response to COVID-19
“In response, and in preparation for a potential outbreak, PathWest expanded their testing capability by using a range of analysing platforms and securing compatible test kits, reagents and consumables required to enable testing for Western Australians.”
Public Pathology Australia
Public pathology response
The public pathology response has been wide-
Public pathology—the government owned and
ranging and agile, including:
operated pathology sector—has displayed exemplary
• assisting incident control centres
leadership and demonstrated how public health
• testing specimens from a multitude of locations
testing is part of its core business, as it tests and protects the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public pathology sector established a new test for the virus that causes COVID-19 within a matter of days—ready for the first case presentation
including drive-through clinics and nursing homes • supporting critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, mining, shipping, the defence force and police • establishing new reporting processes to patients and hospitals
in Australia in January 2020. The public pathology
• conducting research.
sector managed all COVID testing for a number of
The PathWest Laboratory Medicine WA (PathWest) response
months at the start of the pandemic in Australia, has assisted other laboratories to test by validating and confirming their results, and continues to handle a significant volume of testing across Australia.
At PathWest, Western Australia’s sole public pathology provider, the impact of COVID-19 was felt almost immediately and their ability to be flexible and reactive to the ever-changing environment ensured a timely and effective response.
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The Health Advocate • AUGUST 2020