KELLOGG — Shoshone Medical Center has a new tool at their disposal in the fight against COVID-19.

The facility has received the Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 assay, which is a diagnostic test that utilizes an isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology that is intended for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from the SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA (ribonucleic acid) in direct nasal, nasopharyngeal or throat swabs and nasal, nasopharyngeal or throat swabs eluted in from individuals who are suspected of COVID-19 by their health care provider.

What this device does is it allows the hospital to test for COVID-19 and have results in 15 minutes as opposed to days or weeks.

The machine was received through partnership with the Panhandle Health District, after several were given to the Idaho Division of Public Health.

While tests themselves remain limited and the hospital is still being selective based on severity and situation when they administer a test, this device can help them make sure that their high risk patients, a resident at a local skilled nursing facility, or even health care or EMS personnel can be tested as quickly as possible so that containment and quarantine measures can be quickly put into action.

“Having this is really a big benefit to our community,” said SMC Chief Executive Officer Paul Lewis. “Our hope is to continue to receive the test kits and eventually expand the scope of our testing, but right now it is nice being able to test acutely ill patients and then those who are caring for those patients. Although we are limited in that scope right now, it is a tremendous add to our surveillance and our response to COVID-19.”

The machine was free and is available for use under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) which enables the timely results and more efficient treatment and infection control decisions.

“We’ve been really fortunate to have the relationships that we do have with the Division of Public Health and the Panhandle Health District. We couldn’t do it without those,” Lewis said. “We also appreciate our local community and their understanding. We had to change up some things, like our visitation guidelines and the community has been really receptive and we appreciate their support.”