Express Lab Newsroom
April 30, 2020
COVID-19 Testing Now Available
Dedicated Testing Sites in Pocatello and Idaho Falls
Express Lab, a local medical laboratory, now has two locations set-up and dedicated to test for active COVID-19 virus. At each location, extreme measures are being taken to prevent the spread of this very contagious virus.
Patients who have a doctor’s order to receive the Active PCR COVID-19 test can drive to one of the two locations and receive a nasal swab while remaining in their car. Individuals who do not have a doctor’s order need to call their primary physician or visit CrushTheCurveIdaho.com to obtain one prior to the testing.
Express Lab has partnered with Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls to conduct tests at 2060 S. Woodruff Avenue. In Pocatello, Express Lab has partnered with ISU/Southeast Idaho Public Health to set up a drive-thru collection site at the Dyer House, behind Reed’s gym at 1245 Red Hill Road.
Active COVID-19 test results typically take 48-72 hours to be delivered but delays may be expected base on demand of tests and availability of testing materials.
The Active PCR COVID-19 test check for current infection unlike the antibody test which checks for the presence of antibodies that your immune system has created to fight off the infection.
It is recommended that patients who are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 receive the active PCR testing. The antibody test is recommended 10-14 days after possible infections have occurred and when all symptoms are not present.
May 7, 2019
East Idaho’s First Automated Medical Lab
Express Lab Completes Expansion
Express Lab, a local medical laboratory, is excited to announce the completion of their automation project. The Idaho Falls based laboratory which has locations in Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Rexburg began planning the laboratory expansion and automation nearly two years ago and began construction in September of 2018. The automated laboratory is the first in East Idaho.
The expansion nearly doubled the size of the laboratory and provided room for the automation equipment. With the expansion, updated equipment for microbiology, hematology and chemistry along with the robotic track system.
According to Lori Leask, Express Lab Manager, the expansion and automation project was implemented to improve speed, efficiency, and accuracy. Lori states that, “Expanding allows us to continue to grow and meet the demands of our patients and healthcare providers.”
About the Automation Process
The automation, provided through Ortho Diagnostics based in Raritan, New Jersey, is leading edge technology.
The system is modular and allows for additional growth in the future. With this automation system, the specimen tubes are loaded and sorted robotically on to the processing track. The tubes are then automatically transferred to a decapper and placed back on the track for distribution to individual analyzers. When the testing is finished, the tubes are transported to a re-capping process and then to storage.
The automation allows Express Lab to continually track specimens and repeat or add testing if needed, at a much faster pace. The specialized automation streamlines our processes and helps our lab analyzers function more efficiently by utilizing software that can detect which analyzer is available to run the test at the fastest pace. This eliminates bottlenecks and wait times on analyzers while it catalogs specimens for easy retrieval at a later date. Results are then electronically transmitted back to the Express Lab computer system and then immediately sent to doctors or other healthcare providers.
How Automation Helps Doctors & Patients
The new system will benefit patients and healthcare providers by providing fastest possible turn-around for medical tests. Also, in cases where the same blood sample or specimen requires additional testing, the system automatically retrieves the tubes and processes the additional testing.
According to Leask, “By automating our lab system, we are able to keep our costs down and pass along those savings to our patients.” Leask continues, “We are committed to helping keep the costs of medical care down and improving our service level to meet the high standards of the medical laboratory industry.”
November 13, 2018
Free Blood Glucose Screening on World Diabetes Awareness Day
As part of World Diabetes Awareness Day (Wednesday, November 14, 2018), Express Lab and Rocky Mountain Diabetes, based in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is offering free diabetes screening tests from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Broulims grocery store located at 2730 E Sunnyside Road, Ammon, Idaho. The event is being sponsored to raise awareness of diabetes.
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. https://www.worlddiabetesday.org/about-wdd.html
SEPTEMBER 10, 2018
LAB CONSTRUCTION EXPANSION BEGINS
Express Lab, located in Idaho Falls, Idaho has begun construction expansion of its laboratory facility. The expansion will double the size of the laboratory making way for new equipment including a robotic tract system which is the first of its kind in Southeast Idaho.
According to Lori Leask, manager of Express Lab, “We wanted to improve our speed, efficiency and accuracy and expanding our facility allows us to meet these objectives.” Leask continues, “Expanding allows us to continue to grow and meet the demand of our patients, doctors and medical providers in the area with faster turn-around times.”
Express Lab is a locally owned, full-service, independent clinical laboratory that is fully accredited by CLIA and COLA. Express Lab was founded in 2000 by Dr John E. Liljenquist, MD.
Express Lab is known for its customer service, friendly staff, exceptional phlebotomists, and fast turn-around times for medical laboratory results.
The automation system was provided by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics based in Raritan, New Jersey. The company is considered a leading global provider of in vitro diagnostics providing high-quality products and services globally to clinical laboratories like Express Lab.
JUNE 18, 2018
BEST OF IDAHO FALLS
Express Lab, of Idaho Falls, Idaho was selected as the Best Medical Laboratory by the readers of the Post Register. Express Lab was nominated for the first time in this year’s event. Readers of the Post Register voted for their favorite nominees in many categories including suppliers, restaurants, services and this year, medical laboratories.
Lori Leask, manager of Express Lab, said “It is nice to be nominated and wonderful to be voted the Best of 2018.” Lori continues, “We work very hard to provide the best possible patient experience and it is rewarding to be acknowledged by our patients.”
The Post Register is The Post Register is based in Idaho Falls and is a leading provider of local news and advertising in East Idaho. They have a combined online and print audience of more than 60,000 people in the area.
MAY 29, 2018
Express Lab Opens Second Idaho Falls Location
Idaho Falls, Idaho – May 29, 2018: Express Lab, a local medical laboratory is opening a second location in Idaho Falls in the Teton Medial Plaza located at 2001 S. Woodruff Suite 15B.
Earlier in the year, Express Lab opened a new location at 101 E Main St, Suite 210 in Rexburg, bringing the total sites to four; two in Idaho Falls, one in Rexburg and one in Pocatello.
According to Lori Leask, manager of Express Lab, “Due to the growing need for laboratory services in Idaho Falls, we decided to open a second convenient location. We are always trying to provide the best medical care to our patients.” Lori continues, “Our goal is to keep wait times to a minimum, which is what adding the new site will provide.”
Express Lab is a locally owned, full-service, independent clinical laboratory that is fully accredited by CLIA and COLA. Express Lab was founded in 2000 by Dr John E. Liljenquist, MD.
Express Lab is known for its customer service, friendly staff, exceptional phlebotomists, and fast turn-around times for medical laboratory results.
DECEMBER 17, 2017
Express Lab Opens Rexburg Location
Express Lab, a local medical laboratory is opening a draw site location in Rexburg, Idaho. The location is located at 101 S. Main Street, Suite 210, above Ace Hardware. This location is added to the main laboratory location in Idaho Falls and draw site in Pocatello.
According to Lori Leask, manager of Express Lab, “We wanted to be able to provide our laboratory services to the residents of Rexburg so we found a convenient location.” Lori continues, “We want to provide the best medical care to our patients and now we are adding the convenience of a Rexburg location.”
Express Lab is a locally owned, full-service, independent clinical laboratory that is fully accredited by CLIA and COLA. Express Lab was founded in 2000 by Dr John E. Liljenquist, MD.
Express Lab is known for its customer service, friendly staff, exceptional phlebotomists, and fast turn-around times for medical laboratory results.