Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 11:32 am
In today’s update:
- Staff testing – PCR & LFD tests
- Patient testing – no changes
Staff testing – PCR & LFD tests
Following changes to Government advice this week, we have outlined the current testing and reporting protocols for staff below.
Symptomatic staff – Staff with symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) should self-isolate and inform their line manager immediately. The line manager must refer the staff member to Self-Isolation Team for a PCR test. This advice has not changed. LFDs are only recommended for asymptomatic testing. A negative LFD in a symptomatic person does NOT exclude COVID.
Asymptomatic staff – Staff undertaking regular Lateral Flow Device testing (LFD), who test positive but are well (asymptomatic) should self-isolate and inform their line manager immediately. The line manager must refer the staff member to the Self-Isolation Team, however, the staff member does not need confirmation via a PCR test.
The staff member must send photographic proof of the positive LFD test to their line manager, including the serial number of the test, and this must be forwarded on to the Self-Isolation Team for recording.
Staff who are household contacts of positive COVID-19 cases – Staff who live with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 should inform their line manager immediately and must be referred to the Self-Isolation Team for a PCR test.
ALL staff members MUST be referred to the Self-Isolation Team, whether they test positive by a PCR performed at the Trust or in the community, or by a positive LFD test. This is so the staff member’s absence can be appropriately recorded and the correct support offered to staff.
Full details can be found on the staff COVID-19 website: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/self-isolation-guidance/ (password: STHKcovid19)
Patient testing – no changes
The testing process remains unchanged and patients admitted to hospital, whether by emergency admission or elective admission, should continue to be tested via PCR.
Please see the staff COVID-19 website for further information: https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/current-case-definition-and-assessment-flow-chart/ (Password: STHKcovid19)