StarMed CEO details ‘glitch’ that delayed thousands of COVID-19 test results

CHARLOTTE — StarMed is sharing details about a glitch that led to weeks-long delays of thousands of COVID-19 test results, according to a letter from StarMed CEO Mike Estramonte.

The letter said StarMed contracted an outside resource lab, Premier Medical, in Greenville, South Carolina, to help deal with the volume of tests its processing.

That lab found a glitch impacting test results for 8,000 people across our area. The glitch was fixed Friday, but soon after, StarMed discovered even more tests that still need processing.

StarMed said it is now working with the lab to get those results as fast as it can.

“Please know that we’ve been working around the clock for several weeks processing and reporting test results. No one at StarMed Healthcare is resting and we will continue that pace as long as necessary,” the letter said.

Here’s where you can get a COVID-19 test in the Channel 9 viewing area

Initially, Estramonte told Channel 9 Friday morning that a system glitch earlier in the week caused about 3,000 people to wait days for their results when they should have come back within about 24 hours.

The turnaround time for COVID-19 test results at StarMed is now 48-72 hours.

If a test was taken more than 72 hours ago and there are still no results, click here to access that information.

Janika Beaty said she got tested at StarMed on Jan. 1 and has yet to receive her results, as of Friday.

“I was having all the symptoms like coughing, and I wasn’t feeling well, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t have COVID-19,” Beaty said.

She said in order for her to return to work she had to have a negative test.

“I mean I been out of work, I can’t work until I know I’m not positive. I do home health. I cannot go around the seniors and make them sick if I’m sick.” Beaty said.

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The “interface glitch” wasn’t immediately caught because of high volume but StarMed team members worked fast to fix the issue once it was identified, Estramonte said, adding that measures have been put in place that won’t allow it to happen again.

He said no data was lost and no security was breached, and everyone who was affected received their results Thursday night.

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