The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic stretched the boundaries of laboratory testing beyond the walls of the laboratory. Antigen tests and tests utilizing nucleic acid amplification are now available for use at the point of care, in addition to several at-home specimen collection kits or tests for SARS-CoV-2. The current regulatory framework must adapt to ensure the quality of such testing. Additional safeguards are necessary to ensure that results are accurately communicated to care providers and that patients receive adequate guidance on the interpretation of test results.

Download the chapter from the forthcoming 13th edition of the Manual of Clinical Microbiology to learn about testing regulations, compliance, and accreditation, courtesy of Wiley and the American Society for Microbiology. The chapter is also available as part of the new online research tool, ClinMicroNow.