The FirstStepDx PLUS® Results

Our genetic counselors explain the test results in a thorough, but easy-to-understand report. Even if this is your first genetic test, you’ll have no trouble understanding the results and advising parents on their options. Extensive supportive medical literature is included.

The report also includes a section for parents and, if there are any questions, you have unlimited access to our genetic counselors.

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With a standard CMA service, test results are usually only one or two pages in length and are often difficult to interpret.

A lot of time can be spent by a healthcare provider trying to research the information provided in the test result and then explain the often times complex findings to families. What Lineagen does through our FirstStepDx PLUS® CMA service is providing a comprehensive report that always has two sections: A provider results section as well as a family results section.

Provider results section

The provider results section is going to contain the standard information that a provider expects from a laboratory:

  • All of the demographic information on the patient for whom the test was ordered.
  • The date the test was ordered.
  • The date the sample was collected.
  • A table showing the genetic variant or variance identified.
  • The methodology and the platform used for the test.
  • Citations of all scientific articles used to write the report.

Family results section

Lineagen goes on to add a whole second layer, the family results section. The family results section is provided to every doctor, but it can easily then be provided to the patient and family.

The family results section is written at an eighth or ninth grade reading level that doesn't require the family to have a medical background to read it. It has pictures and definitions about some of the genetic terms used. And it even has links to support groups or family advocacy groups where the parents can talk to others who have had the same diagnosis and who've experienced some of the same challenges their child may be experiencing.

Rena Vanzo MS, LCGC Licensed & Certified Genetic Counselor,
Vice President, Clinical Services, Lineagen, Inc.

Read More: Easy-to-read, but thorough test results report

With a standard CMA service, test results are usually only one or two pages in length and are often difficult to interpret.

A lot of time can be spent by a healthcare provider trying to research the information provided in the test result and then explain the often times complex findings to families. What Lineagen does through our FirstStepDx PLUS® CMA service is providing a comprehensive report that always has two sections: A provider results section as well as a family results section.

Provider results section

The provider results section is going to contain the standard information that a provider expects from a laboratory:

  • All of the demographic information on the patient for whom the test was ordered.
  • The date the test was ordered.
  • The date the sample was collected.
  • A table showing the genetic variant or variance identified.
  • The methodology and the platform used for the test.
  • Citations of all scientific articles used to write the report.

Family results section

Lineagen goes on to add a whole second layer, the family results section. The family results section is provided to every doctor, but it can easily then be provided to the patient and family.

The family results section is written at an eighth or ninth grade reading level that doesn't require the family to have a medical background to read it. It has pictures and definitions about some of the genetic terms used. And it even has links to support groups or family advocacy groups where the parents can talk to others who have had the same diagnosis and who've experienced some of the same challenges their child may be experiencing.

When a provider orders a CMA, they want to know that they're ordering it from a laboratory that has experience and knowledge about CMA interpretation. It is standard for most labs to have one review of results by a Ph.D. level scientist.

Lineagen uses a multi-disciplinary approach

Lineagen takes a completely unique approach. We use a multi-disciplinary team to interpret an individual's result and package that into an understandable report. We use Ph.D. cytogeneticists, a team of licensed and certified genetic counselors and a medical geneticist to evaluate these results.

Our genetic counselors are reviewing medical records to assist in report interpretation. We use medical records to get additional details. That's going to help us do the best job of providing an accurate interpretation and an explanation for this family.

Rena Vanzo MS, LCGC Licensed & Certified Genetic Counselor,
Vice President, Clinical Services, Lineagen, Inc.

Read More: Lineagen provides access to genetic counselors when appropriate

When a provider orders a CMA, they want to know that they're ordering it from a laboratory that has experience and knowledge about CMA interpretation. It is standard for most labs to have one review of results by a Ph.D. level scientist.

Lineagen uses a multi-disciplinary approach

Lineagen takes a completely unique approach. We use a multi-disciplinary team to interpret an individual's result and package that into an understandable report. We use Ph.D. cytogeneticists, a team of licensed and certified genetic counselors and a medical geneticist to evaluate these results.

Our genetic counselors are reviewing medical records to assist in report interpretation. We use medical records to get additional details. That's going to help us do the best job of providing an accurate interpretation and an explanation for this family.

There are many different laboratories where a family could choose to have a CMA genetic test done for their child. And just like there are differences in the actual platform and the technology of the CMA, there might be differences in the way that CMA is analyzed for each child and the way it’s reported.

Usually a single scientist analyzes test results It’s common practice at other laboratories for a single lab scientist to review the results for each child and write a report. At Lineagen, we use a team approach for the test analysis. We like for genetic counselors, laboratory PhD scientists, as well as a medical geneticist to be involved in the analysis, interpretation, and reporting for each child. We believe this has a major advantage because we’re able to use many different perspectives while considering this child’s healthcare.

One example of that is the fact that our genetic counselors will review each child’s medical records and learn the course of this his or her medical challenges before the test is analyzed and the report is written. We want to know the following:
  • When did the child’s developmental concerns arise?
  • What is the family really worried about?
  • What can we learn about this child, more than just his or her age, gender, and diagnosis,that will be helpful to include in the analysis and report?
  • How long has the family has been concerned about the diagnosis?
Rena Vanzo MS, LCGC Licensed & Certified Genetic Counselor,
Vice President, Clinical Services, Lineagen, Inc.

Unlike many large reference laboratories, where hundreds of tests are being run, Lineagen focuses on CMA for individuals with developmental disabilities.

We don’t perform CMA on alternate sample types such as cancer tissue, amniotic fluid, chorionic villi because we want to focus all of our energy and resources on the assessment of chromosomes from individuals with developmental disabilities.

Committed to children

Our team is familiar with this territory. We know the genomic regions that should be flagged and we know the areas associated with these developmental disabilities. Lineagen is focused on not only assessing those risks, but also communicating those risks to the provider and making it easier for that provider to communicate those risks to his or her patients and their families.

Rena Vanzo MS, LCGC Licensed & Certified Genetic Counselor,
Vice President, Clinical Services, Lineagen, Inc.

Read More: Lineagen is the only company focused solely on delayed development

Unlike many large reference laboratories, where hundreds of tests are being run, Lineagen focuses on CMA for individuals with developmental disabilities.

We don’t perform CMA on alternate sample types such as cancer tissue, amniotic fluid, chorionic villi because we want to focus all of our energy and resources on the assessment of chromosomes from individuals with developmental disabilities.

Committed to children

Our team is familiar with this territory. We know the genomic regions that should be flagged and we know the areas associated with these developmental disabilities. Lineagen is focused on not only assessing those risks, but also communicating those risks to the provider and making it easier for that provider to communicate those risks to his or her patients and their families.

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The sole focus today of all our energy and resources is on the assessment of chromosomes from individuals with developmental disabilities, as there is an under-met need
Rena Vanzo
MS, LCGC Licensed & Certified Genetic Counselor,
Vice President, Clinical Services, Lineagen, Inc.