Firstly, a huge thank you to all our colleagues at Medirest who have donated much needed supplies to our local food banks. Johnny Vegas collected the items today and will be distributing across our community this evening.
Today’s cabinet update is below:
Rapid COVID-19 tests
Rapid testing performed at the Whiston Microbiology Laboratory is now available for:
1. Patients that are to be discharged to care homes.
2. Pre-operative patients having urgent elective surgery for cancer.
These can be requested on Medway under COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus PCR.
There is now a drop down box to select the test required as shown below;
Use SYMPTOMATIC patient test (COVID) to request a test for any patient (new admission or existing inpatient) with clinical features of COVID-19.
Use Asymptomatic admission screen (COVIDA) to request an admission screen for COVID-19 on any patient who requires at least overnight admission to the Trust who has no clinical features of COVID-19
Use COVID-19 clearance swab (COVIDX) to request a rapid test for patients prior to discharge to care home.
Use COVID 19 pre-op swab (COVIDP) to request a rapid test for patients prior to urgent elective cancer surgery.
NOTE: Rapid testing is strictly limited (approximately 20 in total per day) hence these MUST only be used as stated above: Any exceptions MUST be discussed with a Medical Microbiologist on a case by case basis before the test is requested.
Testing of asymptomatic patients for COVID-19
All patients requiring inpatient admission (i.e. at least admission overnight) must now be tested for COVID-19 regardless of symptoms or clinical features of COVID-19
Even if the patient does not fulfil the case definition, send samples for COVID-19 testing, in addition to usual investigations appropriate to the patient’s clinical condition. The test must be carried out without delay at the point where decision to admit is made.
For asymptomatic patients, COVID-19 test can be requested on Medway (under test name COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus PCR and on the ‘Test required’ drop down, select ‘Asymptomatic admission screen’). Note the Medway request form and specimen must be accompanied by a completed form E28.
Patients who are tested on admission but who do not have clinical features of COVID-19 do NOT need isolation in side rooms (unless they also have another reason to require this e.g. another infectious disease requiring isolation precautions or infection alert such as MRSA/VRE/CPE).
NOTE: Patients admitted before 27th April 2020 (yesterday) do not need testing for COVID-19 unless they have relevant clinical features.
Patients with symptoms/signs of COVID-19
The case definition(updated regularly) now includes any patient requiring admission to hospital with clinical/radiological evidence of pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome or influenza like illness (or develop these after admission).
If a patient fulfils the criteria for a possible case, do the following immediately:
- Isolate patient in a single room with respiratory precautions (if no side room is available, patient can be cared for in a bay).
- Minimise number of staff entering the room.
- Wear the appropriate PPE: Click here to see a summary of PPE to be worn
- Send samples for testing, in addition to usual investigations appropriate to the patient’s clinical condition, as per GOV.UK guidance. COVID-19 test can be requested on Medway (under the test name COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus PCR and on the ‘Test required’ drop down, select ‘SYMPTOMATIC patient test’. Note that the Medway request form and specimen must be accompanied by a completed form E28.
#NHSCovidHeroes
Today’s big shout out goes to the Community IV Team who, despite all the challenges, are continuing to make an incredible difference to the lives of their patients in the community and they’re also providing additional support in our hospitals too.
Thank you so much for taking on extra duties, treating inpatients and giving valued support to our hospital teams we really appreciate it J
