FAQs on TMC Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing

Updated as of Jan 20, 2023

What COVID-19 tests are available at the TMC Drive Thru Facilities?

The Medical City offers both Enhanced Chemilluminiscence Immunoassay or ECLIA antibody test and RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction).

Enhanced Chemiluminiscence Immunoassay or ECLIA antibody test is the first and best fully-automated COVID-19 antibody test globally certified by the US and Philippine Food and Drugs Administration. Compared to the rapid antibody tests (RAT) that uses lateral flow method, ECLIA has up to 100%* sensitivity and specificity.

*(Sensitivity Confidence Interval of 92.7 to 100% >8 days from onset of symptoms and Specificity Confidence Interval of 99.1 to 100%)

RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test is the gold standard confirmatory test for COVID-19.

Where are the Drive- Thru facilities located?

Both the ECLIA Antibody and RT- PCR (Swab test) Drive Thru test is located at the back of The Medical City (Entrance through The Medical City Drive and Exit through MD Camacho Drive).

I. What is ECLIA / Enhanced Chemiluminiscence Antibody Test?

ECLIA detects antibodies produced in patient’s blood due to CoViD- 19  infection. The serology test has a specificity of 100% and sensitivity of 100%. *(Sensitivity Confidence Interval of 92.7 to 100% >8 days from onset of symptoms and Specificity Confidence Interval of 99.1 to 100%)

Sensitivity is the proportion of patients who do have the disease that return a reactive test result. Specificity is the proportion of patients without the disease who return a non-reactive test result. Both are expressed as a number or percentage.

The sample that will be taken from the patient will be tested for total antibodies including IgG. The test detects all antibodies (IgM, IgA, IgG, and other isotypes) that develop in most patients as an immune response to SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of CoViD-19, eight days onwards from onset of symptoms. These antibodies indicate recent or past COVID-19 infection (IgM /IgA/other Isotypes) and possible protection the from future infection (IgG).

ECLIA antibody test provides very important information to aid in diagnosis, management and recovery from COVID-19 and will also help researchers evaluate how many people in the population have been infected, which is important to planning infection control.

What’s the ECLIA process? 

The ECLIA antibody test is simple and straightforward. It involves taking a sample of your blood to be sent to the laboratory for automated analysis.

1. Go to the drive-thru facility for onsite registration and payment
2. Proceed to the extraction area
3. Wait for your result to be sent via email within 24 hours.

How do I prepare for the test? 

There is no special preparation for this ECLIA antibody test . The blood draw will only take a few moments.

How much is ECLIA at the Drive thru?

ECLIA antibody test price is Php 2,200.

How do I pay? 

You may pay with Cash and credit at the Cashier on-site for ECLIA antibody test. Insurance/HMO accepted.

*Senior Citizen/PWD Discounts are applicable.

Is it also open during weekends?  

Yes. The ECLIA antibody test drive-thru site is open Mondays to Sundays from 7AM to 3PM.

Who can get tested at the TMC Drive-Thru testing site? 

If you meet any of the following criteria, you may have ECLIA antibody test at the Drive-Thru facility:

• You are asymptomatic – meaning you don’t have any symptoms.
• If you feel well but have reason to believe you’ve been exposed to the virus. You should self-quarantine in this case.
• You are asymptomatic and recovered COVID-19 patient who wish to confirm the presence of antibodies in preparation for donation for convalescent plasma treatment.

While you wait for your test results, maintain home isolation to help protect other people in your home and community.

What does your result mean?

ECLIA is not used to diagnose acute infection witofh COVID-19. An RT-PCR must be done for this purpose.

II. What is the RT-PCR Test? 

RT-PCR test (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test uses actual swabs from patients taken from the nose and throat to detect if a person has the coronavirus. RT-PCR tests are used as confirmatory tests for COVID-19. Real-time RT-PCR tests cannot tell you if you have had COVID-19 in the past; the test is designed to detect an ongoing infection.

The tests are performed and interpreted by TMC healthcare professionals following the most globally-accepted protocols, so you can be assured that the test has been conducted with the highest healthcare standards. The actual swabs are to be sent to the TMC laboratory, which is among the licensed COVID-19 testing laboratories in the Philippines.

What’s the RT- PCR Process?

The RT- PCR test sample is collected through swabbing. The medical staff inserts a separate thin, flexible cotton swab into the patient‘s nose and throat to collect a sample of mucus. One swab is gently rotated in both nostrils and another is brushed into the throat to collect enough mucus for the test. The samples are then get sealed in a tube and sent to the lab for analysis.

BOOKING: 

1. Book your appointment through themedicalcity.com/covidtest
2. To pay, go to the “Billing and Payments” tab of your Patient Portal, select the service and click "Pay Now."
3. Once payment has been made, you will receive an email on the following:
   • Confirmation of payment and booking
   • Case Investigation Form (CIF) to be accomplished in 3 copies

ON THE DAY OF APPOINTMENT:

1. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your schedule
2. Show email confirmation and 3 copies of CIF to the guard at the Queueing Stop
3. You will be asked to queue and will be provided a Drive Thru card to be placed on your windshield
4. Proceed to the Drive Thru Lane
5. Roll down your window and submit CIF to the medical staff
6. The Medical Staff interviews and proceeds to swabbing
7. Your result will be sent to you via email within 24 hours

REMINDER: Limit the people in your personal vehicle to a maximum of six to be tested.

How much does RT-PCR test cost?

RT-PCR test at the Drive-Thru site costs Php3,360.

How do I pay?

To pay, go to the “Billing and Payments” tab of your Patient Portal, select the service and click "Pay Now." A confirmation email of your payment and appointment will be sent for all successful transaction.

*For Senior Citizen/PWD, ID numbers should be provided during the booking to avail of the discount.

Is RT-PCR at the Drive Thru Philhealth compensable?

One of the requirements of Philhealth is a through assessment of the patient, which is not done at the Drive-Thru setup.

How many can be tested in one vehicle?

Limit the people in your personal vehicle to a maximum of six to be tested.

Is there an age requirement to get tested?

Minimum age requirement is 8 yrs old. For patients who are 7 yrs old and below, they may be referred to Pedia MDs.

How far ahead can one book if he/she will be travelling?

Patients can book at least a day before (as long as the schedule permits) and payment should be made ahead of time as well.

Where is the testing site located?

The RT- PCR (Swab test) Drive Thru is located at the back of The Medical City (Entrance through The Medical City Drive and Exit through MD Camacho Drive).

Is it also open during weekends?

The RT- PCR (Swab test) Drive Thru will be open Mondays to Sundays, including Holidays from 7AM to 3PM.

Why RT-PCR test may be recommended? 

Your doctor may recommend a COVID-19 RT-PCR test if:

• You have COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, tiredness, or shortness of breath
• You've had close contact with someone who tests positive for the COVID-19 virus or is suspected of having the virus.
• You're at high risk of complications if you become infected

While you wait for your test results, maintain home isolation to help protect other people in your home and community.

What does your result mean?

If you have a positive test result (SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent of COVID-19) viral RNA DETECTED), it is very likely that you have COVID-19. Therefore, it is also likely that you may be placed in isolation to avoid spreading the virus to others. There is a very small chance that this test can give a positive result that is wrong (a false positive result). Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how best to care for you based on the test results, medical history, and your symptoms.

A negative test result (SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent of COVID-19) viral RNA NOT DETECTED) means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample. For COVID-19, a negative test result for a sample collected while a person has symptoms usually means that COVID-19 did not cause your recent illness. However, it is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID-19. This means that you could possibly still have COVID-19 even though the test result is negative. If this is the case, your healthcare provider will consider the test result together with your symptoms, possible exposures, and geographical location of places you have recently traveled in deciding how to care for you. It is important that you work with your healthcare provider to help you understand the next steps you should take.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/Factsheet-for-Patients-2019-nCoV.pdf

https://www.fda.gov/media/136151/download

Here’s a brief description of the types of COVID-19 test:

For more information, contact the TMC Hotline at 8988-1000.