The rise of COVID-19 cases across the United States is an unfortunate trend directly linked to the highly infectious Delta variant. As such, the pandemic continues to impact service levels and create challenges with sources, partners and providers. In this report, we would like to explain these challenges and Truescreen's efforts to overcome each while maintaining reasonable turnaround times for clients.
Occupational Health Services:
Our Occupational Health providers continue to operate on the front lines of the pandemic. An uptick in COVID-19 cases has increased the strain on our healthcare partners, resulting in scheduling delays for service appointments and longer than normal wait times at our Patient Service Centers and Occupational Health providers. Truescreen's best practice recommendation is for applicants to call the respective service center ahead of appointment times to ensure there have been no changes to availability and/or hours of operation.
Forensic Labs:Our laboratory partners - Clinical Reference Labs, Laboratory Corporation of America and Quest Diagnostics - are experiencing delays due to staffing shortages, a common problem affecting industries all across the country. Our providers are diligently working to keep pace with the increased volume of specimens that require testing. Despite best efforts, overall processing times have been extended. We continually monitor service delays and provide updates to clients as quickly as possible.
Shipping Delays:
Staffing shortages have also negatively impacted timelines with our shipping and courier service providers. Our shipping partners are still operating with limited staff, ever-changing weather events and the effects of the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, disrupting the timeliness of shipments. As with our laboratory partners, we continue to monitor shipping delays and provide updates as applicable.
Public Records Sources:
Truescreen is not currently experiencing courthouse delays as a result of state lockdowns; however, courthouses across the country are adjusting to reformed policies and in some cases, limited staff to assist with record access and verification requests. Current staffing shortages are affecting all entities, including local government. As such, we continue to monitor specific areas as needed to complete these requests.
Fortunately, many initial searches are handled electronically via our proprietary FastPath system, and the overwhelming majority of searches are completed without delays. Delays can be expected for states in which a significant portion of the state utilizes an in-person record access system. These courts are typically in rural areas, though there are some exceptions for unique issues. Specific News to Notes are sent as needed for issues such as these in affected jurisdictions. These can be accessed under the Company News section of the portal and in our monthly News Update.
Education and Employment Verifications:
Many schools and employers are adapting to new working conditions and changing priorities. As a result, responses which are secured directly from those verification sources are experiencing delays.
As we navigate the conditions created as a result of COVID-19, our extensive updates in technology continue to improve our ability to provide verifications for these services as quickly as possible. While our team remains dedicated to ensuring that we provide the best service possible, Truescreen is perpetually exploring new technologies and developing solutions to mitigate increases in turnaround times.
International Services:
Even as some parts of the world are reopening, others are under new lockdowns and restrictions. For example, while Bangladesh is ending its lockdown, Australia and the Philippines are enforcing strict localized lockdowns. Similarly, partial lockdowns are taking place in India and South Africa. Due to the political situation in Afghanistan, searches in that country have also been suspended indefinitely. The result has been increased turnaround times for securing search results from these countries.
Companies, courthouses and government agencies have been developing new ways to sustain operations while simultaneously protecting people's health. While turnaround times have increased industry-wide, Truescreen is committed to improving service and ensuring we deliver screening reports in the timeliest fashion possible. Both temporary and long-term changes to services will continue to be communicated in our News to Notes and by your sales and account management team.
If you have any questions, please contact your sales executive, account manager, or our customer service team.
Posted: August 17, 2021