On November 30, 2020, the New Jersey Department of Health issued an Executive Directive requiring all facilities that receive BinaxNow tests and have a CLIA certification to test all staff and visitors till December 14, 2020. The community spread of COVID-19 continues throughout the state of New Jersey and the point of care testing will help inform further guidance to protect vulnerable seniors.
During this two-week testing pilot, staff who are scheduled to work three or more consecutive days are to be tested every other day using the BinaxNOW tests. Other staff are to be tested every other day, or their next shift when 48 hours have passed since their last test. This requirement should be followed until the facility runs out of BinaxNow tests or by December 14, 2020, whichever comes first. This two-week testing pilot supersedes the weekly staff testing protocol.
All visitors must also be tested prior to entering the facility with an FDA approved or authorized Point of Care (POC) test, unless the visitor can provide proof of negative POC test collected and performed in the past 24 hours. All Emergency Medical Services personnel are exempted during an emergency situation.
Residents who leave for more than 24 hours and those who leave regularly for medical appointments should also receive a POC testing prior to entering the facility. These residents will be tested based on a risk assessment.
Information regarding applying for or updating a CLIA certification is available at How to Apply for a CLIA Certificate, Including International Laboratories | CMS. The Executive Directive can be accessed at PO 360, General Department (nj.gov).
Issue
As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the country, it is important that each facility review their policies and procedures for COVID-19 testing. Testing requirements are continuously being revised, and it is important that each facility follows the established protocol for their community.
Discussion
- Review policies and procedures to ensure that all guidelines for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus are in place and being followed. Ensure that testing requirements for COVID-19 are current and being followed, and that the facility has an up-to-date CLIA Certification that includes COVID-19 onsite testing.
- Educate staff on the importance of testing requirements, and how they can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Document that the education has occurred, and place proof of attendance in the employee’s education files.
- Periodically audit to ensure that testing requirements are being completed and that all staff are following proper infection control procedures.
