Kettering Health Network will add the Abbott ID NOW COVID Assay, or Epic order SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test, for limited patient populations to enhance patient and staff safety for urgent care needs for PUI (Suspected Covid), Medical ICU (Non-surgical ICU), and female patients in active labor (Patient in labor).
- Please NOTE: If patients do not meet these criteria, SARS-CoV-2 PCR (LAB98411) should be used.
- For easy identification, all coronavirus specimen tests will have “COVID” as a synonym in EPIC.
- Specimens will be collected with nasal swabs.
- Staff permitted to perform nasal swabs include physicians, providers, nurses, and medical assistants.
- Staff will perform hand hygiene and don proper PPE, including gown, goggles, isolation mask, and gloves.
- Staff will use two patient identifiers and explain the process to the patient before beginning the test following the steps from Abbott.
- The sterile foam Puritan swab must be used for collection. Lab will supply the correct swab.
- Staff will swab both nostrils with the same swab. Start with the nostril with the most drainage or congestion if applicable.
- Once the specimen is collected from both nostrils, replace the swab into the paper wrapper, and label the paper wrapper with beaker label if available.
- Seal in a biohazard bag.
- Complete Epic e-collection of the specimen.
- For down-time or if e-collection unavailable, label the wrapper with the patient sticker, badge number, date, and time.
- Doff PPE, perform hand hygiene.
- Carry the specimen to the lab. Do NOT send any COVID specimens in the tube system.