MCCH Press Release
Bridgeport, NE— To ensure public health and safety at in-door large gatherings, in-person activities and as more destination countries are opening after months of closure, many organizations, countries and their respective local governments are implementing policies that require individuals or travelers to show proof of a recent, negative CoVID-19 NAAT/RT-PCT test with a QR Code regardless of vaccination status. The requirements are popping up among businesses, employers, concert and sporting venues, airports, cruise lines, restaurants and others. This is often accomplished by having a CoVID-19 travel certificate that includes proof of a recent negative CoVID-19 test. The required testing modality is generally a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) real time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and oftentimes the test must have been performed within 24 to 72 hours of departure/event. In addition, most countries and destinations require that these certificates be signed and certified by medical laboratory scientists performing the test and/or performed in an accredited testing facility. There have been issues with paper results being manipulated to show fraudulent results. As these entry requirements continue to develop and the CoVID-19 pandemic evolves, many events, organizations and destinations have begun digitization requirements for CoVID-19 travel certificates upon entry to ensure the results are legitimate. This often includes the use of QR Codes on CoVID-19 travel certificates.
So what is a QR Code? A QR Code is a type of barcode that contains various forms of data, which often are required to link to a digital copy of the patient’s CoVID-19 test result or vaccination history. This has proven useful for many events and destinations as airline gate agents at arrival airports can simply scan a QR code on a CoVID-19 travel certificate and immediately access a digital copy of a patient’s pertinent testing result or vaccination status. Although requirements vary from events, airlines, destination to destination, the overall trend appears to be that many events, organizations and destinations are requesting that individuals or travelers obtain a COVID-19 travel certificate that contains a QR code that can be scanned at the event or arrival gate.
With this said, Morrill County Community Hospital Clinical Laboratory Department have partnered with GoRev (Venture Software) to provide ALL of our patients (traveling or not) with an easy to use, mobile friendly HIPAA compliant QR code that proves the legitimacy of their CoVID-19 results. Patients will continue to receive their CoVID-19 results same day and will now be notified via text message and email with the QR Code once their test results are verified and finalized. With a secured QR code in hand, a person can meet the new requirements and mandates being implemented at jobsites, offices, venues, airports and more.
If you are traveling or attending an event in the near future, check and verify with your event organizer, airline, your destination and/or home country if they require a COVID-19 travel certificate with QR code that links to your test results.
Please visit our website www.morrillcountyhospital.com to more information and to book your convenient appointment. Do not hesitate to contact the Clinical Laboratory Department at Morrill County Community Hospital at (308) 262-1616 if you have further questions. Our friendly staff can assist you every step of the way to schedule your appointment.
We have assisted many patients throughout the pandemic in reaching their destinations (Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Ukraine, Philippines and more) not only safely and efficiently, but also in compliance with the testing requirements set by local governments. Our NAAT/RT-PCR tests are the gold standard for international travel and we can provide each traveler in your party with a CoVID-19 travel certificate and accompanying QR code. In addition, our NAAT/RT-PCR tests are incredibly efficient and results are reported within the same day. More than ever, MCCH has the tools it needs to finish its fight with CoVID-19. We make it easy for you to travel, even during these difficult times.
