Method and system for anonymously testing for a human malady

Abstract

An anonymous testing system for taking a sample of body fluid to be tested, the sample is acquired in private and sent for analyzation to obtain results. The system comprises a test kit for creating a sample of body fluid, a personal code for anonymously identifying the sample and the person, and an electronic file telephonically created and accessed by the person taking the test and identified by the personal code. The electronic file contains the test results determined by analyzation. There is also a method of anonymously testing of a person's body fluid in a private and the results to be anonymously received by the person without having to reveal his or her identification. The method comprises the steps of procuring a test kit for taking a sample of the body fluid. The test kit has a personal code associated therewith and equipment to take the sample. The person uses the equipment to obtain the sample and sends the sample with the personal code to a testing site. The person also creates a personal electronic file telephonically; the file is identified by the personal code. The sample is identified by the personal code. At the testing site, the sample is tested, and the results are updated into the electronic file with a corresponding personal code. The person later accesses the electronic file telephonically to obtain his or her results.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of testing for a particular human malady wherein the test is privately conducted and testing results are anonymously reported without revealing a person's identity, said testing method comprising the steps of: 
 procuring a kit for taking a suitable test specimen from the person being tested, said kit having a personal code associated therewith and equipment for obtaining said test specimen;    creating a personal electronic file on a computer system telephonically by the person taking the test, said electronic file being identified only by said personal code to provide complete anonymity of the person being tested;    authorizing a laboratory to conduct an analysis of said test specimen, said authorization being provided through the computer system automatically and concomitantly with the step of creating the personal electronic file;    using said equipment to obtain said test specimen;    sending said test specimen for analyzation by a laboratory, said test specimen being identified only by said personal code;    analyzing said test specimen at the laboratory for said particular human malady and to obtain results;    adding the laboratory results to said electronic file previously created and identified solely by the personal code of the test specimen to maintain and completely protect the anonymity of the person being tested; and    accessing said test results in said electronic file on the computer system telephonically only by using said personal code thereby maintaining complete anonymity of the person being tested.    
     
     
         2 . The method for anonymous testing according to  claim 1  wherein said test specimen comprises body fluid from the person being tested.  
     
     
         3 . The method for anonymous testing according to  claim 1  wherein the test specimen comprises a blood sample from the person being tested.  
     
     
         4 . The method for testing according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of counseling the person being tested without requiring the person taking the test from having to reveal their identity.  
     
     
         5 . The method of anonymous testing according to  claim 1  wherein said creating step includes pre-test counseling.  
     
     
         6 . The method of anonymous testing according to  claim 1  wherein the test specimen is a saliva sample of the person being tested.  
     
     
         7 . A method for testing for antibodies to a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is responsible for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) wherein test results are reported without having to reveal a person's identity, said testing method comprising the steps of: 
 procuring a test kit for taking a blood sample from the person taking the test, said test kit having a personal code associated therewith and equipment for taking said sample;    creating a personal electronic file telephonically in a computer system by the person taking the test, said electronic file being identified only by said personal code to provide complete anonymity of the person being tested;    offering pre-test counseling to the person taking the test while allowing that person to maintain anonymity regarding their identity;    using said equipment at a remote location and in private to obtain at least one blood sample;    sending said blood sample for analyzation by a laboratory for HIV antibodies, said blood sample being identified only by said personal code;    analyzing said blood sample at the laboratory for antibodies to HIV to obtain test results;    adding the laboratory test results to said electronic file previously created and identified solely by the personal code of the blood sample, said results being added to the electronic file on the computer system by the laboratory after analyzing the blood sample to maintain and completely protect the anonymity of the person being tested; and    accessing said test results in said electronic file on the computer system from a remote location telephonically only by using said personal code thereby maintaining complete anonymity of the person being tested.    
     
     
         8 . The method of anonymous testing according to  claim 7  wherein said using step further includes the steps of: 
 cleansing an area with disinfectant;  
 puncturing the skin to receive a blood sample;  
 depositing at least one blood sample capable of being analyzed by a laboratory on a blood specimen collection card, said card being identified with said personal code; and  
 sending the card to a laboratory for analyzation.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method for anonymous testing according to  claim 8  further including the step of sending those materials used to obtain the specimen to said laboratory along with said specimen.  
     
     
         10 . The method for anonymously testing according to  claim 8  wherein said test kit includes a disposable lancet with a blade for puncturing the skin and thereby obtaining the blood sample.  
     
     
         11 . The method for anonymously testing according to  claim 9  wherein said kit is further provided with a bag for receiving and maintaining those materials used to obtain the blood specimen separate from the collection card thereby protecting the collection card against contamination.  
     
     
         12 . A test system for permitting anonymous testing for a particular human malady, said test system comprising: 
 a kit including equipment for procuring a suitable test specimen from a person being tested, said test specimen being capable of being transported from one location to another location for analyzation by a laboratory for said particular human malady, said kit allowing said test specimen to be created at a remote location and in private to provide anonymity of and for the person being tested;    a personal code for identifying the person being tested and to protect the anonymity of the person being tested, said personal code being associated with said test specimen analyzed by the laboratory; and    a personal electronic file telephonically created from a remote location on a computer system by the person being tested and identified by said personal code to provide anonymity for the person being tested, said computer system automatically generating and delivering to said laboratory authorization to conduct said tests upon creation of said electronic file, and wherein said electronic file has test results entered thereto by the laboratory following analyzation of the test specimen, and wherein said electronic file is telephonically accessible on said computer system only by using said personal code to obtain said test results thereby maintaining complete anonymity for the person being tested.    
     
     
         13 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 12  wherein demographic and risk assessment information about the person being tested is entered to said electronic file by the person talking the test.  
     
     
         14 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 12  wherein said kit further includes a mailing envelope for transporting the specimen from the location wherein the test is anonymously conducted to another location.  
     
     
         15 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 12  wherein said test specimen includes a blood sample of the person being tested.  
     
     
         16 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 12  wherein said test specimen includes a saliva sample of the person being tested.  
     
     
         17 . A test system for permitting anonymous testing for antibodies to a Human Immunodeficiency Virus IV) which is responsible for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), said system comprising: 
 a kit including equipment for producing a suitable blood sample from a person being tested which is capable of being transported from one location to another location for analyzation for HIV by a laboratory, said kit allowing said blood sample to be created in private to provide anonymity for the person being tested;    a personal code associated with said blood sample to identify the person being tested and to protect the anonymity for the person being tested; and    a personal electronic file telephonically created on a computer system by the person being tested and identified by said personal code to maintain the complete anonymity of the person being tested, said computer system automatically generating and delivering to said laboratory authorization to conduct said analyzation upon creation of the electronic file, and wherein said electronic file has test results entered thereto by said laboratory following analyzation of said blood sample and wherein said electronic file is telephonically accessible on said computer system only using said personal code to obtain said test results thereby maintaining complete anonymity for the person being tested; and    a voice communication apparatus interfaced with said computer system for selectively providing pre-counselling regarding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to the person being tested upon creation of the personal electronic file.    
     
     
         18 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 17  wherein said personal code comprises a series of numbers.  
     
     
         19 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 17  wherein said equipment of said kit comprises: 
 apparatus for cleansing an rear of said on the person taking the test;  
 a skin puncturing apparatus of producing a flow of blood from said cleansed area of skin;  
 a blood specimen collection card for depositing a blood sample thereon, said collection card being identified by said personal code; and  
 an envelope for transporting said collection card with said blood sample thereon from one location for analyzation of said blood sample.  
 
     
     
         20 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 19  further including a shipping container for holding said blood specimen card.  
     
     
         21 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 19  wherein sad collection card comprises a tear off information sheet having said personal code thereon, an informed consent form, and a specimen sheet on which a blood sample is deposited and having said personal code thereon.  
     
     
         22 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 21  wherein said specimen sheet is a cotton fiber paper having a specimen spot whereupon a blood specimen is deposited.  
     
     
         23 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 19  further including a container for holding said collection card for shipment.  
     
     
         24 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 19  wherein said specimen sheet is a cotton fiber paper having a specimen spot whereupon blood is individually deposited.  
     
     
         25 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 24  wherein said specimen spot is configured as a circle.  
     
     
         26 . A test system for permitting anonymous testing for antibodies to a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is responsible for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), said system comprising: 
 a kit including equipment for producing a saliva sample from a person being tested which is capable of being transported from one location to another location for analyzation for HIV by a laboratory, said kit allowing said saliva sample to be created in private to provide anonymity of the person being tested;    a personal code associated with said saliva sample to identify the person being tested and to protect the anonymity of the person being tested; and    a personal electronic file telephonically created on a computer system by the person being tested and identified by said personal code to maintain the anonymity of the person being tested, said electronic file having test results entered thereto by said laboratory following analyzation of said saliva sample and wherein said electronic file is telephonically being accessible on said computer system only using said personal code to obtain said test results thereby maintaining complete anonymity of the person being tested; and    a voice communication apparatus interfaced with the computer system for selectively providing information about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) to the person being tested upon creation of the electronic file.    
     
     
         27 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 26  wherein said personal code comprises a series of whole numbers.  
     
     
         28 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 26  the equipment in said kit includes a saliva specimen collection apparatus for procuring a saliva sample from the person being tested, said collection apparatus being identified by said personal code.  
     
     
         29 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 28  wherein said kit further includes an envelope for transporting said saliva specimen collection apparatus to a laboratory for analysis of the saliva specimen.  
     
     
         30 . The anonymous testing system according to  claim 26  further including an information sheet having said personal code thereon, an informed consent form to be completed by the person taking the test, and wherein said information sheet is retained by the person taking the test and said informed consent is returned with the specimen.