Off-Site COVID-19 Testing Project Hub - Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement

Between March 20th and August 10th, 2020, the Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement (NRHI) and its member and research partners, Qualidigm, conducted qualitative research on off-site COVID-19 testing centers (OSCTCs) in more than twenty states across the country. Many NRHI members supported the work by serving as advisors and connecting the research team with OSCTC leaders in their communities.

Phase I (March-April 2020) was a rapid assessment of the then promising practices for off-site testing for COVID-19. A summary of the findings has been published in Healthcare: The Journal of Delivery Science and Innovation and the full report has been released. The major considerations were organized in an easy-to-follow infographic and disseminated broadly to support sites looking to establish or improve testing centers.

During Phase II (June – August 2020), the research focused on questions addressing access to testing among vulnerable populations, the alignment of OSCTCs with public health entities, community-based organizations, and other health systems to effectively address the testing needs, limitations, and opportunities across the population. After an extensive qualitative analysis, the findings were organized in a comprehensive Off-Site Testing Toolkit.

Phase II

May 20th, 2020 – September 10th, 2020

Meet Communities Where They Are: COVID-19 Testing for Vulnerable Populations

A recent federal report on COVID-19 infections and deaths by race showed that Black and Latinx populations in the US are three times more likely to contract COVID-19 and nearly...

Off-Site COVID-19 Testing Centers (OSCTCs) Collaborations

A crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its multi-dimensional impact plays a crucial role in not only activating but also increasing collaboration among organizations with a vested interest in...

Phase I

March 20th – April 20th, 2020

Supporting Communities to Evaluate, Test, and Disseminate Considerations for Off-Site Testing for COVID-19

By: Tim Elwell PhD, MBA, President & CEO, Qualidigm; Craig Brammer, President & CEO, Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement Updated on April 9, 2020 On March 16th, 2020, the World...

Tim Elwell, President & CEO of Qualidigm, Talks about the “Best Practices for Off-Site Testing of COVID-19” Project

Tim Elwell, Vice Chair of the NRHI Board of Directors, and President & CEO of Qualidigm, a regional quality improvement organization and NRHI member, shares more about the qualitative research...

NRHI and Qualidigm logos on a blue background with the COVID-19 virus

Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement Conducts National Study of Best Practices for Off-Site Testing of COVID-19

Study will quickly evaluate and disseminate the most effective findings to communities in need March 20,2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stacy Donohue 207-756-4562 Portland, ME – The Network for...

Qualitative review of early experiences of off-site COVID-19 testing centers and associated considerations

Abstract: Given the predicted need for continued SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing, as well as the evolving availability and types of diagnostic tests, off-site COVID-19 testing centers (OSCTC) leaders need timely guidance to ensure they are meeting the needs of their unique populations. This research discusses the challenges and offers considerations for healthcare organizations and others when setting up and running OSCTCs. It also provides a springboard to engage policy makers and leaders in the healthcare community in a discussion about emergency preparedness, and how to better respond to testing needs going forward.