Innovative testing to assist in keeping our regional economy open

New COVID-19 testing response lab established by Wichita State

With positive COVID-19 cases on the rise in our community, easily accessible testing with quick results is a key component to keep our regional economy open. Wichita State has created the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory (MDL) to support the community and state with enhanced capacity to test and control the spread of the virus in order to help people return to work and school faster while supporting our health care, service providers and first responders. The State of Kansas and Sedgwick County have both pledged to support expanded testing provided to the community by WSU MDL using Federal CARES funding.

As a business in the Greater Wichita region, you can now contract with and receive 24-hour COVID-19 test results for your employees from Wichita State’s Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. Forms to begin the process are now available.

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About the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory at Wichita State

Wichita State’s MDL provides highly accurate, 24-hour turnaround on both saliva and nasopharyngeal swab FDA EUA approved PCR tests. As a CLIA approved testing laboratory, it uses CDC protocols and state-of-the-art automation and robotics along with a digital portal for contracting organizations and patients to order tests and view results.

Any group, such as businesses, non-profits, medical groups, schools, childcare, long-term care facilities and more, can contract directly with WSU. Pricing represents a 40 to 60 percent savings over typical tests.

Once an organization contracts with Wichita State’s MDL lab, it will receive training in the process of collecting saliva samples and using the portal for ordering tests and viewing patient results.

For now, Wichita State is contracting for tests through groups and organizations. Individual testing is available through those contracted groups.

To request more information or to contract with Wichita State, forms and information are available here. Groups can also e-mail mdl@wichita.edu or call (316) 978-8600. The person working with groups to begin testing is Tonya Witherspoon.