Midwifery Setting Considerations Regarding Implementation of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Point-of-Care Te

What factors do we need to consider? There are many benefits to being able to offer rapid antigen POCT, however, midwives should consider the numerous practical aspects regarding program implementation to determine their ability to offer this type of screening: Human resources: Participating sites will need to identify individuals to perform the following roles: • Rapid Testing Lead – designated t. [...] Time: Implementing a rapid antigen POCT program requires dedicated time for the following: • training • development of policies/procedures/protocols • ordering test kits and other required equipment and supplies • test site setup • quality control activities • test administration (results yielded after 15 minutes) • post-test communication, documentation and follow-up • test site cleanup • Ministr. [...] Cost: If accepted to participate in the Provincial Antigen Screening Program, the government will provide midwives with free rapid antigen test kits, pending available inventory. [...] Space: Appropriate implementation of a screening program requires: • enough space for individuals to maintain social distancing during the testing process • space for privacy while conducting the swab and while reading and communicating results • ability to accommodate a table (or two) for supplies and test processing • enough space to keep test materials, specimens that have been taken but not ye. [...] Other equipment needed: • biohazard containers • hand sanitizer • gloves • tissue • labels • timer • disinfectant • plexiglass shield • table (6–8-foot folding table that is non-absorbent and easy to clean) 2 Development of policy/procedure/protocol Participating sites should be prepared to develop guidance for the following: • how they will ensure public health measures are maintained in their sp.