BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® Respiratory (R) Panel Q&A

 
The cost of a BioFire panel can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of panel, the location of the testing facility, and the individual’s insurance coverage. In general, the cost of a BioFire panel can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. However, many insurance plans cover the cost of diagnostic testing, including BioFire panels, so patients should check with their insurance providers to determine their coverage options.
 
It’s worth noting that while the cost of a BioFire panel may seem high, it can be a valuable investment in a patient’s health. These panels can provide rapid and accurate diagnoses for a wide range of infectious diseases, allowing for prompt and appropriate treatment.

 
BioFire is a type of diagnostic test that uses molecular technology to identify infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria, in patient samples. Specifically, BioFire panels use a technology called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify and detect genetic material from infectious agents. This allows for rapid and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases, often within a matter of hours.
 
There are several different types of BioFire panels, each designed to target specific infectious agents. For example, there are panels that can identify respiratory viruses, gastrointestinal pathogens, sexually transmitted infections, and more.
 
BioFire Spotfire is a type of BioFire panel designed to detect respiratory tract infections caused by bacteria and viruses. This solution delivers results in approximately 15 minutes, making it a rapid diagnostic tool that can be used at the point of care. The system is CLIA-waived, which means that it can be used by non-lab professionals in decentralized settings.
 
The BioFire SpotFire R Panel is specifically designed to identify 15 of the most prevalent bacteria, viruses, and viral subtypes that lead to respiratory tract infections. Additionally, bioMérieux has developed the BioFire SpotFire R Panel Mini, which is intended to detect five of the most common viral causes of upper respiratory tract infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus associated with COVID-19.

 
The BioFire SpotFire System, along with its BioFire SpotFire Respiratory (R) Panel, enables healthcare professionals to diagnose patients suspected of respiratory tract infections with results delivered during a patient’s visit in approximately 15 minutes. This revolutionary solution enhances patient care by providing rapid and accurate diagnoses in near-patient settings, including urgent care centers and physician offices.
 
With BioFire, healthcare professionals can now deliver the proven medical value associated with multiplex panels to many more individuals, without having to rely on traditional clinical laboratories. The system represents a significant advancement in healthcare technology, offering unprecedented time-to-result and proximity to the patient.

BioFire panels are designed to target a comprehensive grouping of pathogens associated with a specific syndrome, such as an upper respiratory infection or gastroenteritis. A BioFire syndromic test is used to isolate, amplify using PCR (polymerase chain reaction), and detect the genetic material of targeted pathogens, providing a rapid and accurate diagnosis.
 
Inserting a panel pouch into a BioFire System instrument takes just two minutes of hands-on time. The key feature of BioFire’s FilmArray technology is its array, which consists of individual wells grouped together on a single plate. This unique design allows the separate reactions of multiplex PCR to occur simultaneously without cross-contamination.
 
After the cycles of PCR are completed, organisms in the sample are identified based on which wells in the array confirm the presence or absence of their assigned organism’s DNA. BioFire’s software then processes this data and generates a single report that makes a positive or negative call for each organism in an easy-to-read format. In summary, BioFire’s innovative technology provides a reliable and efficient method for diagnosing a wide range of infectious diseases.
 
BioFire SpotFire respiratory panels are available at SoCal Urgent Care.
 
BioFire SpotFire is a rapid diagnostic tool that helps doctors diagnose respiratory conditions faster than ever before. Let our team of healthcare professionals help keep your health in check today! Book your next appointment now! BioFire SpotFire respiratory panels are available at SoCal Urgent Care. For more information, please contact us or request an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 710 S Brookhurst St. Suite A, Anaheim, CA 92804. We serve patients from Anaheim CA, Buena Park CA, La Palma CA, Cerritos CA, Cypress CA, Stanton CA, Garden Grove CA, Fullerton CA, Placentia CA, and Olive CA.