Jul 2, 2020
BioReference Labs Run COVID-19 Testing Sites More Efficiently, Safely with Skedulo and Salesforce
“We won’t succeed in overcoming this pandemic without widespread testing,” shares Salesforce Chief Medical Officer, Ashwini Zenooz, MD. “It’s critical we can efficiently identify who has the virus to instate proper quarantine measures. And importantly, this needs to happen while ensuring patients seeking diagnostic tests, and the frontline workers facilitating them, are practicing safe social distancing measures.”
COVID-19 testing is imperative in aiding healthcare providers to identify infected patients more quickly and getting the world on the road to recovery. BioReference Laboratories, an organization providing laboratory testing (including COVID-19) and clinical diagnostic services to physicians, hospitals, and clinics, is serving under the considerable strain of hard-hit areas including New York City and Detroit.
BioReference Labs needed a way to make its testing sites more efficient and safe. Working together with Salesforce and Skedulo, they utilized the Capacity-Based Appointment Booking for COVID-19 Testing Centers app, built on the Salesforce platform and available on AppExchange, which enables all health agencies working to combat COVID-19.
We asked Skedulo CEO Matt Fairhurst to share more about this technology and partnership.
Can you share the story of BioReference Labs?
Matt Fairhurst: BioReference Labs is one of the main organizations providing COVID-19 tests in the areas hit hardest by the virus. Their testing sites were becoming overwhelmed with the number of people lining up for tests, and some people experiencing wait times as long as six hours. Not only is this an extremely long time to wait in line for a test, but the lines themselves made it difficult to adhere to social distancing guidelines, putting the public as well as the staff at the testing sites at greater risk of exposure to the virus.
Skedulo worked together with Salesforce to quickly spin up a solution that would help these COVID-19 testing sites run more efficiently and safely. Because of Salesforce, Skedulo was able to build and roll-out the solution in just two weeks. The flexibility of the platform really helped us address the critical issue of timeliness in this situation.
How can technology help other organizations like BioReference Laboratories?
Fairhurst: Organizations and health agencies like BioReference Laboratories can use a booking and appointment management system to help balance appointment demand with capacity, ensuring the testing site does not become overcrowded and overwhelmed.
An individual that requires a COVID-19 test can go to the testing organization’s website, and easily book an appointment based on the times that are available. Then, they’ll receive a downloadable confirmation and QR code to present once they arrive at the testing site at their designated time.
Staff members working at the testing site, using a mobile device, can perform a contactless ID check, and check-in patients for testing via the QR code confirmation.
The ultimate goal is to help — help alleviate overcrowding of testing sites, help reduce the stress of those on the front lines performing the tests, and help calm any anxiety individuals may have about traveling to a testing site and receiving a test.
Vinny Pacione, Director Consumer Digital at BioReference Laboratories, said “Skedulo’s capabilities are helping us manage this global health crisis more efficiently and safely. Workers on the frontlines conducting the testing are tasked with so many uncertainties, and we were concerned patients would show up all at once, overwhelming the testing sites and causing delays. With the scheduling package, there’s less chaos and more order at testing locations, which has enabled us to reduce the risk of exposure for workers and enabled people to effectively get tested.”
Looking forward, this could be just the beginning. There is possibly a big need for capacity-based testing for public health in the future. And we’ll be able to adjust and enhance the app because it’s built on Salesforce.
What other ways can customers leverage Skedulo’s technology to navigate COVID-19?
Fairhurst: Solace Pediatric Home Healthcare, based in Denver, Colorado, provides occupational, physical, and speech therapy in-home. Until recently, the organization averaged 5,000 in-home visits a week. CEO Darcie Peacock shared how they are utilizing virtual means to continue providing services to their customer base. “[On March 13] we made the decision to switch to 100% telemedicine and 100% remote work…the thing that’s been great about having Skedulo as part of our operations during this is that we still always have real, live schedules for our team. It sounds so fundamental but it’s really actually a game-changer. We have a lot of clinicians who are at home with their own kids who have online schooling. Their schedules have been tossed up in the air and they’ve landed back down…and we can continue to get new patients on their schedule.“
Additionally, the Skedulo mobile app provides those on the frontline with the tools they need to complete their jobs and appointments safely and efficiently. Contactless Signature allows deskless workers to capture client signature without handing over their mobile devices. Virtual Meetings, which is a Skedulo API for Zoom or other virtual meeting providers, will automatically create a virtual meeting link and attach it to an appointment. This means field workers are able to complete their appointments while complying with health and safety guidelines set by leading health organizations.
Technology aside, can you share how customers can help the community if they’re able?
Fairhurst: Any little bit helps right now. If you’re able to donate to any volunteer or nonprofit organizations, such as World Central Kitchen, the need is there. Support your local small businesses, too. It’s a tough time to be a business owner.
For us at Skedulo, we partnered with the American Red Cross to donate our unused office space to be used as a mobile blood collection site. Also, a group of our employees and their children have come together to build and send care packages for individuals that are quarantined in elderly care facilities throughout the country.
Learn about Skedulo’s Capacity-Based Appointment Booking for COVID-19 Testing Centers solution on AppExchange and see what other solutions can help during this time on AppExchange COVID-19 Resources for Businesses.
