For adult performers, regular STI testing is a mandated must-have. Not only is it a basic right for performers to have more autonomy over their health, but it’s essential for safe, ethical sets and liability reasons. Sadly, not all STI tests are created equal. When high levels of accuracy and reliability aren’t guaranteed, it puts performers at risk.
This is why we, as an industry, look to PASS (Performer Availability Screening Services) and their certifications to ensure the tests that are in use are of the highest standard and offer dependable CLIA-certified results without fail.
To date, tests have been performed in a clinical laboratory setting collected by authorized sites, but this is not very convenient, so one of PASS’s goals was to give their seal of approval to an at-home test – increasing convenience without sacrificing quality. The race has been on for some time, and we’re honored to be the first to bring a PASS-certified product to market, but it wasn’t easy, and it came with many challenges.
Why accurate testing is a challenge
Home testing is the most convenient option for performers and the general public. It saves time, but not all home tests provide as accurate results as going to a clinic. Many home-collect STI tests may be suitable for the average person but don’t meet the strict requirements of the adult industry. As with many infections, early diagnosis and treatment is important. When STIs go undetected and untreated, there can be serious repercussions (for instance, undiscovered Mgen can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility) and sometimes even be fatal.
Making history
BasisDx has filled this gap in the industry by offering the PASS-certified home-collect STI tests, which were created specifically with performer health in mind. Receiving certification from the Performer Availability Screening Services (PASS) is no small feat—it means that the highest standards are met not just in terms of speed but also accuracy and reliability.
The BasisDx Pro13 Kit includes comprehensive testing for HIV 1/2 Ag/Ab, HIV PCR, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Mycoplasma genitalium (MGen), and both pharyngeal, rectal, and genital Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, allowing peace of mind for both production teams and performers. In some areas, treatment results come with individual treatment plans guided by physicians, adding additional support to those getting tested.
Why collection methods and security features matter
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, so did supply chain issues. It made us rethink the way that we collected and handled samples in and out of the lab. This led us down the path of making processes more efficient and where possible shrinking them As a result, we created a more accurate, secure home-collect test. A big part of that accuracy and safety factor starts by certifying user identity with an initial televisit.
Along with the televisit, kits include tamper-proof seals for every pre-paid return kit, as well as offering an optional verification feature called the BDx Molecular Profile, which scientifically verifies the authenticity of every sample, ensuring it comes from the person intended.
Rapid turnaround
Since many performers get tested every two weeks, a speedy turnaround is heavily desired. A rapid turnaround window is one of the biggest perks for working performers who don’t want to wait for results. Typically, results are available within 24 to 48 hours of our lab receiving the sample. This means less downtime between gigs, faster clearance to get on set, and continuous protection against STIs, which means a safer working environment for everyone.
STI testing of the future
Through meticulous research and innovation, at home PASS certification IS possible. The broad panel and features offered by the BasisDx Pro 13 Kit provide a new kind of solution for performers in the adult entertainment industry that puts the well-being of performers first, and hopefully, other tests will follow suit. These workers deserve to keep doing what they love without needing to sacrifice safety or privacy.
It also benefits everyone behind the camera and on production teams, ensuring that schedules aren’t disrupted. In an industry that faces constant stigma, teamwork to ensure its future is necessary, and that means setting a new standard for STI testing methods.
BasisDx Pro13 kit tests for the 13 analytes covering the most common STIs and is available to purchase from BasisDx.com for $199 or via Amazon.
