On February 5, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their Point-of-Care Testing Page. The update includes all revisions that have been implemented beginning December 2, 2020.
On December 26, 2020, a revision was made to the guidance on “Specimen Collection and Handling Point-of-Care Tests.” The revised guidance includes that personnel collecting specimens or working within 6 feet of patients suspected to be infected with COVID-19 should be maintaining proper infection control and use recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), which could include an N95 or higher-level respirator (or face mask if a respirator is not available), eye protection, gloves, and a lab coat or gown. Personnel who are handling specimens but not directly involved in collection (e.g., self-collection) and not working within 6 feet of the patient, should follow standard precautions with a face mask at all times while in the facility.
In addition, the CDC recommends that a risk assessment is completed prior to POC testing to identify areas where things could possibly go wrong. CDC Risk Assessment Best Practices and Risk Assessment template recommendations can be accessed at: APHL Risk Assessment Best Practices and Examples.pdf.
The CDC’s Point-of-Care Testing website page also provides multiple links to free educational materials for point-of-care testing, test manufacturers for COVID-19 POC testing, and antigen tests.
The CDC Point-of-Care Testing page can be accessed at: Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing | CDC.
Issue:
It is extremely critical that every facility follows CDC guidance on point-of-care testing. It is essential that healthcare workers who are performing point-of-care testing are provided and properly wear the recommended PPE. As the pandemic continues and more is learned about COVID-19, it is imperative that nursing facility leaders keep up-to-date on recent guidance from the CDC and other reliable sources and provide timely education to all staff.
Discussion Points:
- Review your policy and procedures for point-of-care testing and infection control. Ensure that all recent CDC updates are incorporated into your policies and procedures.
- Train all staff on recent updates to point-of-care testing and infection control guidelines. Conduct competency evaluations. Provide reeducation periodically and where it is observed to be needed. Document that the trainings occurred and file in each employee’s education file.
- Periodically audit to ensure that point-of-care testing is being performed per your facility’s policy and procedure.
