We used this testing site at Long Beach Airport for pre-travel COVID-19 PCR testing. We need the 12-hour test and paid $150.00 per test. We received the test results within 8-hours, which was awesome.
I give 3-stars for the following reasons:
1. Booking an appointment for a minor is not intuitive. I ended up paying for an extra test because the site is not clear regarding how to book an appointment for someone under 18. I first booked the appointment for the adult. Then I went to book the appointment for the 8 year old. It would not allow booking for anyone under 18. To book the appointment, I needed to book the minor under the adult but this is not explained anywhere and made more confusing by the wording used in the adult appointment section for adding a minor - it says something like, Booking for a minor, which gave me the impression you select that box if the adult is booking for someone under 18, not something you select to add another person to the booking.
2. After needing to book an extra unneeded appointment to book the minor, I tried calling the customer service number. I waited on hold for 40 minutes to speak with someone and then gave up.
3. The PCR swab is self administered. The person proving instructions could not provide clarification on how far the swap should be inserted. When we asked for clarification she only repeated her original instructions, which were to insert the swab as far as you can. I asked if it was a nasal pharyngeal or anterior nares test, but she did not understand the question and repeated her standard instructions. I have one concern and one suggestion here - my concern with self administered PCR testing is that collection will be inconsistent, resulting in unreliable results. My suggestion is the lab provide the staff with printed diagram of where the swab needs to reach in the nasal passage (you can print this from the CDC's website) or a plastic nasal model (more costly), to help explain where to swab, which will help improve the consistency of swabbing.
Overall, the lab staff were professional, efficient and easy to deal with. There was no wait for swabbing. There are early morning and evening appointments. Everything happens with you inside your car. Other than the the issue with booking appointments for minors, the site is easy to use. The cost for the 12 hour test is reasonable and results were provided ahead of the deadline.
I will use their services again. read more
