Last updated on January 4th, 2022 at 03:32 pm
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19, Flu and RSV Testing – 1st November 2021
From 1st November 2021, for the winter/influenza season, as per PHE guidelines, 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.
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 Medway under COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus PCR:
- Patients with symptoms/clinical features of flu/COVID requiring admission will routinely be tested for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B and RSV: for these patients select ‘SYMPTOMATIC patient test [COVIDS]’ on the Medway dropdown menu. There is no need to request testing for influenza/RSV separately.
All the above tests will be performed on a single sample (i.e. either viral nose swab and a viral throat swab combined into one pot of viral transport medium; single viral swab used for throat then nose into one pot of viral transport medium or nasopharyngeal aspirate in a universal transport pot).
Patients with no clinical features/symptoms of flu/COVID will be tested for SARS-CoV-2 only, select the other appropriate option from the drop down menu as below:
| Indication | Medway drop down option | Flu/RSV test included | Rapid test |
| Any patient (new admission or existing inpatient) with clinical features of COVID-19/flu | SYMPTOMATIC patient test COVIDS | Yes | No |
| An emergency 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/flu | Asymptomatic admission screen COVA | No | No |
| Requesting a repeat screen on any asymptomatic inpatient whose previous screens were negative (for routine repeat screening on days 3 and 5 post admission and then every 5 days thereafter) | Asymptomatic admission screen COVA | No | No |
| For testing patients prior to discharge to care home or other healthcare setting when indicated | Clearance swab COVIDX | 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 |
| For testing patient electively admitted for surgery or other procedures at pre-op 48 to 72h in advance of their elective admission for surgery/other procedure | Elective pre-op NON-urgent COVP | No | No |
All hand written requests must clearly state the following:
- THREEpatient 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, 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 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/ (password: STHKcovid19)