We Do a Wide Range of Medical Testing

Elite Primary Care Group in Frederick, Maryland offers a variety of tests that you may need for both personal and professional reasons. We offer tests required for initial hiring and ongoing employment. These tests are the PPD (Tuberculosis Test) and drug testing.

We also offer the fastest rapid COVID-19 testing in Frederick to ensure that you can get your results back quickly, and to begin necessary treatment, if needed.

Being able to get these essential tests completed at your primary care provider is convenient and trustworthy. At Elite Primary Care Group, you can be assured that your testing needs can be met while being provided with the top primary care. 

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WHO SHOULD GET RAPID COVID-19 TESTING

During these unprecedented times, it is important that you can put yourself and your loved ones at ease, as quickly as possible. Rapid COVID-19 testing can do, just, that for you. With rapid testing, negative results should be confirmed with a PCR test, but positive results tend to be extremely accurate.  

Rapid testing is best for those who have symptoms of COVID-19. You should complete a screening with your primary care physician and get tested if symptoms are present. Those not exhibiting symptoms, but have had close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus should also be tested. Rapid COVID-19 testing is also convenient for those who have been asked to get tested by their workplace or school.

WE'RE HERE FOR YOUR RAPID TEST NEEDS

Rapid testing results are available the same day you are test, which makes it the best choice when seeking quick results. You can choose to have your primary care provider administer the test for you and will get the results when you need them.

Rapid testing is done the same way PCR tests are administered. A specimen is collected via nasal swab, inserted into each nostril, and rotated around to gather mucous.

If your rapid COVID-19 test comes back negative but you are experiencing symptoms, it is recommended to get a PCR test completed. Until those results are received, isolation should be done. If the test is positive, continue isolation and follow CDC guidelines for returning to school or work.

WHAT IS PPD SKIN TESTING AND WHO NEEDS IT?

PPD testing is also known as the Tuberculosis test. This is a purified protein derivative skin test to determine if a person has Tuberculosis (TB). A serious infection, usually of the lungs, TB is caused by a bacterium that spreads when a person breathes in the air that was exhaled by an infected person. Common symptoms of TB are coughing, fever, nigh sweats, and weight loss. Most people in the United States do not show any symptoms. 

It is common and usually required for those working in the healthcare and education field to be routinely screened for TB, using the PPD skin test. Those who have been around someone with TB or with a weakened immune system should also be tested for the disease.

GETTING STARTED WITH PPD SKIN TESTING

When visiting your primary care provider, you can request a PPD test. The test is easily administered by a nurse. The tested location, typically on the inside forearm, will be cleaned with alcohol prior to the test being administered. A small shot containing PPD will be injected under the top layer of your skin. After a few hours, the bump or small welt that will form, will go away.

Getting the results of your PPD skin test is just as simple as receiving the test. After 48 to 72 hours, you will return to your primary care doctor (or wherever you received the test), and they will interpret the test results. The test is negative if the test area isn’t swollen or only slightly swollen. 

DRUG TESTING IN THE ELITE PRIMARY CARE SETTING

Standard drug testing can be requested for several reasons. Your primary care doctor may request a drug test if an issue with substance abuse is suspected. Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers will also use regular drug testing as part of a treatment plan. An employer requesting a drug test for newly hired employees is one of the most common reasons why a drug test is administered. 

Standard drug tests will test for a variety of substances, but a typical test will screen for the following: amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, marijuana, cocaine, PCP, methadone, and opioids. At times, testing for alcohol needs to be specially requested. 

WE'RE HERE FOR YOUR DRUG TEST NEEDS

It may become standard practice to had drug testing conducted at your primary care visit. The reason for this change of treatment is to be able to properly diagnosis and treat an ailment, particularly when accurately diagnosing a substance use disorder. 

Primary care physicians are leaning towards making drug testing a standard for treatment, especially as controlled substances may be prescribed. The physician is responsible for prescribing controlled substances with caution.