TABLE 4.

Evaluation of labor and material costs by diagnostic test

Test	Hands-on time		Cost (dollars)/92 specimens				Total cost (dollars)/specimeng
	Min/92 specimensc	Min/specimen	Labord	Kite	Reagents and materialsf	Total	Public health	Non-public health
EIA/DFA	100	1.1	39.58	176.00	79.77	296.15	3.21
EIA/PCR	160	1.7	40.38	176.00	100.16	316.54	3.44	3.76
PCRa	190	2.1	75.20	447.11	91.08	613.39	6.66	11.86
EIA/LCR	160	1.7	40.38	176.00	100.24	316.62	3.44	3.75
LCRb	246	2.7	97.38	473.80	58.14	636.67	6.92	12.00

^aPCR refers to a commercial PCR (Roche Diagnostics) test that would be used as the sole test on cervical specimens and not as a verification test. 

^bLCR refers to a commercial LCR test that would be used as the sole test on cervical specimens and not as a verification test. 

^cIncludes time to handle seven DFA, seven PCR, or seven LCR verification test kits per EIA plate. 

^dCalculated at $23.75 per h fully burdened, which includes employee benefits. 

^eDoes not include tax as this cost will vary from state to state. 

^fBased on an estimate of reagent costs for a laboratory with a similar testing volume. The values include the costs of the reagents and materials for seven DFA, seven PCR, or seven LCR verification tests per EIA plate. 

^gThe difference in cost reflects the difference between the cost of the kit at public health pricing versus the cost if purchased by a moderate- to high-volume laboratory.