A shortage of flu test kits is hitting health systems across central Indiana, reports Fox 59.
Here are three things to know.
1. Greenfield, Ind.-based Hancock Regional Health is all out of the test kits at its physician offices, hospitals and urgent care centers. Indianapolis-based Community Health Network has also reported shortages.
"We've reached out to our suppliers and other suppliers and they can't really give us a time when they'll have them. It's a manufacturer backorder," Chris Burns, director of advanced clinical process with Hancock Physician Network, told Fox 59.
2. The report cites an influx of flu cases, combined with regulatory changes from the FDA, as the source of the shortage.
3. Mr. Burns said the shortage has not hindered flu treatment at the hospital.
"We treat flu based on systems [sic] so regardless of having a positive flu test or not. We can just treat the patient based on their symptoms," he told Fox 59. "Even in the past, there have been times where someone will test negative on a flu screen, but we look at the patient and we look at the symptoms."
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