Rural healthcare facilities across the US are facing a triple threat: overextended budgets, staffing shortages, and a higher burden of need. We spoke with Audra Jones, SVP Head of North America at QuidelOrtho, about the Certified Analyzer Program and how it aims to reduce healthcare disparities and expand access to high-quality diagnostic testing with refurbished analyzers.
What challenges are rural hospitals in the US facing right now, and what is the impact on diagnostics?
In the US, about one in five people live in rural communities. Having grown up in one, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges rural healthcare systems face. Nearly half – about 46 percent – of rural healthcare facilities operate with negative margins, forcing them to do more with fewer resources.
This financial strain impacts every part of care, including diagnostics. In many rural areas, limited access to laboratory infrastructure and digital tools means delayed test results and slower treatment decisions. I recently saw this firsthand when a family member waited over a month for diagnostic results that, in an urban setting, would have been available within days. These delays can have serious consequences for patients already facing significant health challenges.
Addressing this gap requires collaboration between care providers, manufacturers, and technology partners to create sustainable, cost-effective diagnostic solutions. Programs designed to bring advanced testing closer to patients – supported by digital integration and real-time result sharing – can help rural healthcare facilities provide timely, high-quality diagnostics.
Ultimately, bridging this divide is about not allowing geography to determine health outcomes. By empowering rural healthcare providers with accessible tools and smarter systems, we can help every community receive the same standard of care – no matter their ZIP code.
How do these struggles manifest as health disparities for patients in rural areas compared with urban settings?
The way I see this challenge manifesting is not just for individual, middle-aged patients, but especially for the aging population in the US. As people live longer thanks to better healthcare access, many older adults move into facilities that are often outside urban centers.
I recently visited a rural facility that implemented a new diagnostic program, and the impact was remarkable. Previously, nursing home residents had to be transported to urban hospitals for testing – often a stressful and time-consuming process. Now, with on-site phlebotomy and diagnostic services, these patients can have their tests done within their own environment.
I know in some states, one health system serves as the primary provider of diagnostics testing for the nursing home market. By bringing diagnostics closer to patients, they can identify issues earlier and prevent additional health complications from developing. For me, hearing how this technology helps deliver faster care to older adults has been one of the most rewarding outcomes – because it shows how innovation can directly improve access and quality of life for vulnerable populations.
How does the Certified Analyzer Program work, and how might it help to redress the balance in diagnostics?
The program is designed specifically for facilities with 100 beds or fewer that need reliable access to diagnostic systems at a fiscally responsible cost. Each refurbished analyzer undergoes a rigorous process – more than 140 quality checks – and comes fully backed by our brand and warranty.
Our analyzer line has deep roots in Rochester, New York, where it was originally developed. Our R&D and manufacturing facilities for the Certified Analyzer Program remain there today. Having both research and production in the same location allows our highly skilled engineers – many of whom were part of the original system design – to oversee the analyzers through a rigorous quality process from start to finish.
Keeping operations in Rochester also offers practical and economic advantages. Unlike many companies that rely on international manufacturing, producing, and refurbishing, the Certified Analyzer domestically means we don’t need to ship units overseas and back. This helps reduce costs for customers and can provide faster turnaround times.
Beyond the analyzer itself, we integrate digital capabilities that enhance performance and connectivity. Remote diagnostics help maintain uptime, while data analytics tools allow laboratories to monitor trends and optimize efficiency across multiple testing areas. This, in turn, enables physicians to receive patient information in real time, rather than waiting for delayed reports or manual data processing.
There’s a growing focus across the industry on expanding digital integration – linking analyzers directly to data systems so that diagnostic insights can flow seamlessly, accurately, and instantly to the clinicians who need them.
Why are programs like the Certified Analyzer Program important for labs and patients?
It’s really about transformation – especially for rural communities that continue to face challenges in accessing healthcare. The program and analyzers we provide are uniquely suited to support community hospitals by combining high performance with exceptional ease of use.
Our analyzer doesn't require plumbing, water, or drains. This makes them portable, flexible, and easy to install even in smaller facilities. The system’s dry slide technology further simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting, allowing lab professionals to focus more on delivering timely, accurate results rather than managing equipment.
In addition, our remote diagnostic capabilities allow for virtual troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, minimizing downtime and keeping labs operational. Training is equally flexible: our hands-on, live training programs connect directly from Rochester to laboratories across the country, so technologists can learn in their own work environment without leaving the bench.
For generalist technologists working in rural settings – often handling multiple roles – the simplicity and reliability of these systems are game-changing. Less time spent on daily maintenance and calibration means more time producing results that directly impact patient care.
Ultimately, this is about empowering rural laboratories and healthcare providers to deliver high-quality diagnostics where they’re needed most – bringing reliable, advanced testing capabilities to the heartland of America.
Could you share a good news story from one of the recipient organizations in the Certified Analyzer Program?
There have been several great examples of how this program is making a real impact. One that comes to mind is a small community hospital in rural Mississippi. They had long believed that an analyzer system was beyond their reach – both financially and operationally. Like many rural facilities, they were struggling with staffing shortages and needed an analyzer that was cost-effective, reliable, and easy to use.
Through the Certified Analyzer program, they were able to acquire an analyzer that met their needs perfectly. Since implementation, they’ve seen significant improvements in productivity and efficiency. Their generalist technologists – who manage multiple roles in the lab – can now operate the system easily, producing high-quality results with faster turnaround times.
But what truly stands out is how this program builds partnerships. When customers join, they become part of a broader support network that includes access to our experienced field engineering team and ongoing educational programs. These opportunities have helped the Mississippi lab upskill its staff and strengthen overall lab operations.
The program’s growth has been remarkable. The pipeline of interested rural healthcare providers continues to expand, and we’re now exploring ways to connect participating sites into a collaborative user community. The goal is to bring these hospitals together to share experiences, challenges, and solutions – helping each other enhance quality and access to care.
Ultimately, our mission is about more than just technology. It’s about empowering community healthcare providers, supporting their teams, and improving access to timely, high-quality diagnostics for patients who need it most.
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