Rapid Implementation of a SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic Quantitative Real-Time PCR Test with Emergency Use Authorization at a Large Academic Safety Net Hospital

Background: Significant delays in the rapid development and distribution of diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection have prevented adequate public health management of the disease, impacting the timely mapping of viral spread and the conservation of personal protective equipment. Furthermore, vulnerable populations, such as those served by the Boston Medical Center (BMC), the largest safety net hospital in New England, represent a high-risk group across multiple dimensions, including a higher prevalence of pre-existing conditions and substance use disorders, lower health maintenance, unstable housing, and a propensity tor rapid community spread, highlighting the urgent need for expedient and re able in-house testing. Methods: We developed a SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic medium-throughput qRT-PCR assay with rapid turnaround time and utilized this Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified assay for testing nasopharyngeal swab samples from BMC patients, with emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Massachusetts Department of Pubic Health. Findings: The in-house testing platform displayed robust accuracy and reliability in validation studies and reduced institutional sample turn-around time from 5-7 days to less than 24 h. Of over 1,000 unique patient samples tested, 44.1 % were positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: This work provides a blueprint for academic centers and community hospitals lacking automated laboratory machinery to implement rapid in-house testing.