False Positives on STD lab results

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Anonymous

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My sister recently recieved a positive test result for chlamydia on her 12 week prenatal STD urine screening. Her and her husband both were shocked and, of course, both convinced there was no possible way. When she demanded a cervical swab retest her Dr highly discouraged this, saying false positive are rare and "what difference does it make anyways?" After much debate he agreed to send off her urine again (he refused to do the swab) to Solstas in Greensboro, NC. While we have been googling all over the place about other instances of false positives, we came across a thread here from 2012 that specifically talked about Solsatas in Greensboro having a higher rate of false positives.
We are awaiting her and her husbands test results this week. Although she is suspicious the Dr even sent out the second test. This has been very emotionally taxing and stressful for them, and we are trying to get some answers or further information on similar instances. Has anyone heard of these things happening in the recent past? We know nothing about how these labs operate, so any clarity offered would be great. Thanks for your help.
 






Anonymous said:
My sister recently recieved a positive test result for chlamydia on her 12 week prenatal STD urine screening. Her and her husband both were shocked and, of course, both convinced there was no possible way. When she demanded a cervical swab retest her Dr highly discouraged this, saying false positive are rare and "what difference does it make anyways?" After much debate he agreed to send off her urine again (he refused to do the swab) to Solstas in Greensboro, NC. While we have been googling all over the place about other instances of false positives, we came across a thread here from 2012 that specifically talked about Solsatas in Greensboro having a higher rate of false positives.
We are awaiting her and her husbands test results this week. Although she is suspicious the Dr even sent out the second test. This has been very emotionally taxing and stressful for them, and we are trying to get some answers or further information on similar instances. Has anyone heard of these things happening in the recent past? We know nothing about how these labs operate, so any clarity offered would be great. Thanks for your help.
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What specifically are you wanting to learn more about?
 






We would like to know if there have been other reports of false positives coming out of this lab. Also what quality control measures are in place to insure there is no contamination, mix ups, etc. The average patient doesn't understand where their samples go, the process of testing and potential for mistake. Typically, we trust our Drs, accept results and move on until something like this happens that can affect a family.
 






Anonymous said:
We would like to know if there have been other reports of false positives coming out of this lab. Also what quality control measures are in place to insure there is no contamination, mix ups, etc. The average patient doesn't understand where their samples go, the process of testing and potential for mistake. Typically, we trust our Drs, accept results and move on until something like this happens that can affect a family.
Click to expand...

This lab has gone through alot of transition over the past year and a half. It was bought by Quest Diagnostics and there have been continual changes in processes and personnel since then. Specimens are being shipped between lab sites in multiple states to maximize insurance reimbursement. So yes, there is a good chance that your specimen was mishandled.

The lab follows standardized quality control standards that are certified by CAP. However, the standards are only as good as the individual performing your particular test at that particular moment. Short-staffing has been an issue. Mistakes happen.
 
























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