Oct. 5, 2020 – Update on Vault testing notifications
On Saturday, Sept. 26, a small number of Vanderbilt community members were notified that their COVID-19 test results had been adjusted, changing their positive test result to negative.
Vault, the company administering the university’s testing program, determined an isolated error affected this particular group of tests. Per Vault’s protocols, the test data had been flagged for further analysis. However, the data also was mistakenly placed in the queue for results that were ready for communication.
Upon verification of their negative results, the individuals were released from Isolation. Close contacts for these individuals were also released from Quarantine.
The impacted individuals, some of whom live on-campus and others who live off-campus, were in Quarantine and Isolation less than 24 hours, and per the university’s protocols were directed to have no contact with others.
On-campus residents who receive positive test results or are a close contact for someone who has tested positive are transported to the university’s on-campus Isolation and Quarantine spaces. These spaces are single rooms or residences that do not share common spaces. Off-campus residents must quarantine or isolate at their homes.
This situation was not a case of false positive results, but of communication before final analysis. Vault acted directly immediately on that matter, and Vanderbilt has actively reviewed the situation. Vault has implemented corrective actions.
The Vault test continues to have an exceedingly low false positive rate as compared to other tests on the market.
Vanderbilt is committed to protecting the health and safety of our community.