What are the stages of a kit life cycle?
An Ash self-collection kit goes through the basic stages below during its life cycle. Blue indicates an official Ash status or notification that is shared through our portal products or API integration.
Order-received
Once an order is placed with Ash, either through an API integration or other technology means, it will undergo a series of order validation to ensure the order is in good standing. If an order meets all required criteria, including client-specific set ups, it will move into order-received status. If an order does not pass order validation, an error status will be returned or displayed with a message indicating how to correct the order, and the order must be resubmitted in order to continue processing.
Fulfillment
All orders received in good standing will be passed immediately to a fulfillment partner. Fulfillment picks and packs, adheres appropriate labels and prepares the kit for pick-up by the shipping carrier. Any issues with the order barring fulfillment or caught during QC checks throughout the process may be pulled from production for remediation.
Order-fulfilled
Once the kit has completed processing by our fulfillment partner, the order moves into “order-fulfilled” status. Our fulfillment partner will pass on the kit ID used for each unique order, as well as outbound and inbound tracking information. This information is included in the order-fulfilled update.
Sample collection
Once the kit is delivered to the patient, the patient is responsible for completing sample collection and mailing their kit back to the lab, using the instructions and prepaid return label provided. There may be a kit registration step as well. More information on that is provided below.
Test-samples-received
Once the kit is delivered to the lab, the order moves into “test-samples-received” status and a notification is provided to the client and/or patient letting them know the sample is at the lab. At this time, the kit either enters into lab processing or if there is an issue with samples or order, the kit will be rejected or placed on temporary hold. More information on kit rejections is provided in the lab processing FAQ section.
Lab processing
Once successfully accessioned, the kit will be processed by the lab, typically for 3-5 business days. The lab will run the tests provided in the lab order, matching it with the patient identifier information provided on the samples. The lab will reach out to Ash with any questions or issues while processing the samples.
Results-ready
Once the lab releases results, the order moves into “result-ready” status, at which point the life cycle is considered complete. This update will include raw test results, a full pdf provided by the lab or both depending on your set up. More information on results is provided in the results FAQ section.
How do we know where a kit is in the cycle?
Ash currently support three status updates for all unique orders to track a kit through its life cycle. These status updates will either be shared via API notifications or displayed in your portal, if using an Ash portal product. More information on the contents of each can be found in our API documentation.