Surprising fact about home rapid tests
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I was surprised how meaningless the Control Strip is. I figured it verified that some sort of sample was collected.
Nope. I did my own experiment as I accidentally opened a second test and needed to use it within the hour. The liquid in the tube itself is enough to validate the control.
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Most cassettes contain an internal control. It exists to verify the test is working properly (adequate sample, correct reagents, etc.) CLIA specifies that most LFTs are controlled with external QC (positive and negative controls) upon opening a new kit lot or at specified intervals.
High volume kits (pregnancy tests) in hospital labs are usually controlled everyday. Other tests, such as Strep, HIV or COVID, are externally QC'd when a new box is opened. Depending on test volume, that might mean a couple if times a week, a couple of times a month...But most labs will QC at least every 30 days, even if working with an open kit.
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Oddball lab fact... In Africa, pretty common not to have a very robust or very competent medical lab testing system, especially in rural areas.
Some LFT results should be confirmed by more rigorous methods...HIV being the most prominent. Not in much of Africa. You ping positive on one LFT, the doc will reach for a different manufacturer's kit. You ping positive on that one, and tag you're it. Diagnosis established.
I have a friend that travels around the world for the ASCP, trying to institute lab personnel training programs. She has some pretty neat stories...
