> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.junction.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Understand how patients receive, collect, and return an at-home test kit for laboratory processing.

With an at-home test kit, Junction ships collection materials to the patient. The patient collects their sample by following the kit instructions and returns it to the laboratory by mail.

Junction supports both registered test kits, which are associated with a patient before shipment, and registrable test kits, which are associated with a patient when the kit is activated.

## How it works

1. Place an order through the Junction Dashboard or the [Create Order endpoint](/api-reference/lab-testing/create-order).
2. Junction validates the order and prepares the kit for shipment to the provided address.
3. The patient receives the kit and, for a registrable kit, completes [patient registration](/lab/workflow/order-registrable-testkit).
4. The patient follows the collection instructions and returns the sample using the supplied packaging.
5. The laboratory receives and processes the sample.
6. Junction makes results available as structured data and a PDF. See [Result Formats](/lab/results/result-formats).

## What to plan for

* **Kit type:** Decide whether the kit should be registered to a known patient before shipment or registered after it reaches the recipient.
* **Patient registration:** Junction cannot provide results for a registrable kit until a patient registers it.
* **Shipping:** Track both outbound kit delivery and the sample's return to the laboratory. See the [At-Home Test Kit Order Lifecycle](/lab/testkits/order-lifecycle).
* **Patient communications:** At-home test kit communications use SMS only. See [Patient Communications](/lab/workflow/communications#at-home-test-kits).

## Kit components

Kit contents depend on the test and collection method. A kit may include:

* A mailer box and return packaging
* Collection devices, such as lancets, blood collection cards, or saliva tubes
* Gauze, plasters, and other collection supplies
* Collection instructions

To discuss custom kit components, [contact Junction support](/home/getting-support).

<Frame caption="Example of an at-home test kit.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/vital/deJB3IUUpJEYmyW_/img/wyndly.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=deJB3IUUpJEYmyW_&q=85&s=59e4e54ea41fcd718cacd6eb8dc5a645" width="2226" height="1716" data-path="img/wyndly.png" />
</Frame>

## Related guides

* [At-Home Test Kit Order Lifecycle](/lab/testkits/order-lifecycle)
* [Registrable Test Kits](/lab/workflow/order-registrable-testkit)
* [Proxy and Inventory Workflows for Registrable Test Kits](/lab/workflow/registrable-testkit-proxy-inventory-workflows)
* [At-Home Test Kit Webhooks](/lab/testkits/webhooks)


## Related topics

- [Overview](/connect/overview.md)
- [Sense overview](/sense/overview.md)