PCR Tests Don't Need To Be Repeated In Different Laboratories

ILLUSTRATION/PHOTO VIA BETWEEN

JAKARTA - DR. Dr. Lia Gardenia Partakusuma, Sp.PK(K), from the R&D and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Compartment of the Indonesian Hospital Association (PERSI) appealed to the public not to repeat PCR tests in different laboratories.

"One person is not sure, the results are positive but the next day they will be checked again, checked again. In fact, if we look at the laboratory, there are many conditions, which we call laboratory quality standards," Lia said during a virtual press conference reported by Antara, Wednesday, February 16. .

The first thing that becomes the laboratory's quality standard, said Lia, is legality. Second, the organizational structure. Third, have adequate facilities and infrastructure. Fourth, have human resources (HR) in accordance with what will be done.

"If he wants PCR, it means that the person has competence for PCR, has been trained. If it is antigen, it must have been trained for antigen," said Lia.

Fifth, Lia said the laboratory must have documents, including quality documents to ensure the results of an examination.

"How does he know that it is true (the result) is positive or negative. He must know, there are documents," added Lia.

Sixth, he continued, technical requirements such as laboratory equipment must always be properly calibrated. Seventh, there must be someone who does the verification starting from the method to the results of the examination.

"So if you look at the laboratory sheet, someone has verified it, yes. Maybe it will be checked by an analyst, but there is a doctor who will validate that it is true, because there could be human error," said Lia.

Finally, said Lia, the laboratory must always evaluate what has been done. There are two things that must be done, namely internal quality control and external quality control. Even if you want to get recognition, a laboratory can follow accreditation both nationally and internationally.

Apart from analytical factors that must comply with these standards, Lia said the results of laboratory tests can also be influenced by pre-analytic factors, namely when sampling, and post-analytic factors, when making reports.

"For the public, don't repeat the PCR test in different laboratories. If the results are positive, immediately self-isolate or seek treatment," said Lia.