ASM has partnered with Association of Supply Chain Management to develop a survey to collect testing supplies status for both COVID-19 tests, as well as other microbiological tests, to highlight, and ultimately alleviate, these debilitating supply chain issues. Starting Sept. 11, ASM began collecting shortage data directly from clinical labs, which allows us to draw attention to the data provided by laboratory directors and practicing clinical microbiologists without external influence. We will collect this data over the course of 6 weeks and share our findings each week on the most recent shortages of medium, reagents, collection devices and consumables that are significantly impacting day-to-day testing for both COVID-19 and other infectious diseases, along with week-over-week longitudinal changes.
117 CLIA-certified labs have responded to the survey and report running at an average of 41% testing capacity for COVID-19. The results also show that:
• 73% have a shortage of commercial testing kits for SARS-CoV-2
• 65% of labs have a shortage of non-COVID-19 testing supplies for detection of routine bacteria (including the bacteria causing strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis and urinary tract infections )
• 70.8% of labs have a shortage of supplies for molecular detection of sexually transmitted infections
• 17.6% have a shortage of supplies for mycobacteria testing (including testing for tuberculosis (TB), Buruli ulcer, and pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease)
• 50% of labs have a shortage of supplies for routine fungal testing (ranging from superficial, localized skin conditions to deeper tissue infections to serious lung, blood (septicemia) or systemic diseases)
National Overview & Survey Participants
National Overview of U.S. Laboratory COVID-19 Testing
Survey Participants
Surveys Submitted, Lab Testing Volume, & Lab Testing Capacity
Additional Information
COVID-19 Laboratory Developed Tests (LDT) Testing Supplies Shortages:
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of NUCLEIC ACID EXTRACTION KITS | 4.8% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of MASTER MIX KITS/REAGENTS | 0.0% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of SYNTHESIZED PRIMERS & PROBES | 11.1% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of LDT CONTROL MATERIALS | 0.0% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of INSTRUMENT(S) FOR NUCLEIC ACID EXTRACTION | 4.8% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of INSTRUMENT(S) FOR NUCLEIC ACID AMPLIFICATION/DETECTION | 0.0% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of OTHER CONSUMABLES (e.g., tips, reagent bins) USED FOR LDTs | 33.3% |
COVID-19 Commercial Molecular Assay Testing Supplies Shortages:
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of COMMERCIAL TESTING KITS | 73.1% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of IVD INSTRUMENTS | 31.8% |
| Avg. % of labs with a Shortage of CONTROL MATERIALS | 3.8% |
Non-COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Supplies Shortages:
Routine Bacteria Testing: Examples of routine bacteria tests are strep throat, pneumonia, bronchitis, and urinary tract infections.
| Avg % of labs with shortages of supplies for detection/isolation of routine bacteria | 65.4% |
| Avg. # of Days of Testing Remaining w/Current Supplies | 8.9 Days |
Routine Mycobacteria Testing: Examples of routine mycobacteria tests are tuberculosis (TB), Buruli ulcer, and pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease.
| Avg % of labs with shortages of supplies for detection/isolation of mycobacteria | 17.6% |
| Avg. # of Days of Testing Remaining w/Current Supplies | 6.0 Days |
Routine Fungal Testing: Range from superficial, localized skin conditions to deeper tissue infections to serious lung, blood (septicemia) or systemic diseases.
| Avg % of labs with shortages of supplies for detection/isolation of fungi | 50.0% |
| Avg. # of Days of Testing Remaining w/Current Supplies | 7.5 Days |
Routine Parasitic Testing: Examples of routine parasitic tests are giardia and cryptosporidium.
| Avg % of labs with shortages of supplies for detection/isolation of parasites | 5.0% |
| Avg. # of Days of Testing Remaining w/Current Supplies | 7.0 Days |
Routine Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Testing: Includes Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia, gonorrhea, pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), genital warts and human papillomavirus (HPV), genital Herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2) and syphilis.
| Avg % of labs with shortages of supplies for detection/isolation of STI | 70.8% |
| Avg. # of Days of Testing Remaining w/Current Supplies | 21.5 Days |
General Laboratory Supplies Shortage
| Avg. % of Labs with a Shortage of NASOPHARYNGEAL SWABS | 8.0% |
| Avg. % of Labs with a Shortage of OROPHARYNGEAL SWABS | 0.0% |
| Avg. % of Labs with a Shortage of SALIVA COLLECTION DEVICES | 0.0% |
| Avg. Percentage of Labs with a Shortage of OTHER COLLECTION DEVICES | 50.0% |
| Avg. Percentage of Labs with a Shortage of VIRAL/UNIVERSAL TRANSPORT MEDIA | 29.2% |
| Avg. Percentage of Labs with a Shortage of SALINE/PBS | 0.0% |
| Avg. Percentage of Labs with a Shortage of LIQUID AMIES | 35.3% |
https://asm.org/Articles/2020/September/Clinical-Microbiology-Supply-Shortage-Collecti-1
