In today’s update:
- Changes to COVID testing guidance
Requesting COVID-19 Tests
From Monday 16th October 2023, for the winter/influenza season, the laboratory will be providing PCR testing for influenza A/B and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in addition to SARS CoV-2/COVID-19 for patients with symptoms of COVID-19/influenza/respiratory viral illness.
The tests done will be determined by clinical details provided on the request form hence it is important that the correct details are selected on CareFlow under COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus PCR:
- For patients with symptoms/clinical features of respiratory viral infection – select ‘SYMPTOMATIC patient test [COVIDS]’ on the CareFlow dropdown menu.
- For patients with no clinical features/symptoms of respiratory viral infection – select the other appropriate option from the CareFlow drop down menu as below.
| Indication | Careflow drop down option | Flu/RSV test included | Rapid test |
| Any patient (new admission or existing inpatient) with clinical features of COVID-19/flu/respiratory viral illness | SYMPTOMATIC patient test COVIDS | Yes | No |
| Screening of all asymptomatic patients on admission to wards 2A/4D or 4E | Asymptomatic admission screen COVA | No | No |
| For testing previously COVID-19 positive severely immunocompromised inpatients or inpatients who have received ICU care during the current admission prior to stepping down infection prevention precautions | Clearance swab COVIDX | No | No |
All hand written requests must clearly state the following:
- THREE patient identifiers on form and sample.
- Clinical details i.e. COVIDS if symptomatic or if asymptomatic, COVA, to ensure the correct tests are performed.
- Date and time of sample collection.
Routine test results will be available within 24 hours from receipt in laboratory.
Urgent test results will be available within 2 – 4 hours from receipt in laboratory.
There is only a limited availability of rapid/urgent tests for COVID-19. Extremely exceptional requests (i.e. where the result will make an immediate and significant difference to patient management compared with routine non-rapid testing of which results are available within 24 hours), must be discussed on a case by case basis with the laboratory: please contact the laboratory and provide name, DOB and reason for requiring an urgent test. The laboratory telephone numbers can be found towards the end of the page.
We will provide updates if there are any changes during the pandemic.
Sample Transport
Samples MUST be transported to the laboratory as soon as possible. Ideally within 15 minutes. Please use the POD: 444 or 555.
Note: urgent samples must be hand delivered to specimen reception and staff should be notified this is an urgent sample.
Results
All results can be viewed on CareFlow and the COVID-19 dashboard.
Note that for symptomatic patients, where tested, results of all 3 tests (i.e. SARS CoV-2, flu A/B and RSV) will be reported under a single investigation ‘COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus PCR’ on CareFlow rather than separately.
Laboratory Contact Information
Microbiology
0151 430 1652 / 1837
Open 24/7
Please note guidance related to COVID-19 is updated regularly hence always refer to the most up to date version of the guidance online at https://covid.sthk.nhs.uk/