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Point-of-care rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at a tertiary eye care facility: Role in commencement of elective surgeries, contact tracing and implementation of back-to-work policy.
- Source :
-
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology . Apr2021, Vol. 69 Issue 4, p964-970. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- <bold>Purpose: </bold>The aim of this study was to report the use and the impact of a point-of-care rapid antigen test (PoC-RAT) at a tertiary eye care facility in facilitating commencement of elective surgeries, contact tracing of exposed health care professionals (HCPs) and ancillary hospital staff, and implementation of back-to-work (BTW) policy for them.<bold>Methods: </bold>Retrospective analysis of subjects undergoing PoC-RAT for COVID-19 infection at a tertiary level dedicated eye care facility. Decision making with regard to commencement of elective surgeries post COVID-19 related discontinuation of services, contact tracing of HCPs and ancillary hospital staff exposed to known COVID-19 cases and implementation of back-to-work policy for all staff based upon the results of PoC-RAT were studied.<bold>Results: </bold>A total of 311 subjects (224 patients and 87 hospital staff) were tested. Overall positivity rate was around 7%. Asymptomatic patients who were screened preoperatively had a lower positivity rate at around 3% compared to the staff (who were either known contacts or were symptomatic) at around 17%. Contact tracing found three-quarters of the staff at low risk and only one quarter at medium or high risk. Among patients, 97% of those followed up for at least 2 weeks after the test remained healthy. For staff, this was around 65%.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Based on our preliminary results, we suggest that PoC-RAT may be considered routinely for indication-based preoperative screening of asymptomatic patients, and for on-campus screening, contact tracing and implementation of BTW policies for HCPs and ancillary hospital staff at a tertiary level eye care facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *CONTACT tracing
*EYE care
*ELECTIVE surgery
*MEDICAL personnel
*COVID-19 testing
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03014738
- Volume :
- 69
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 149496166
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.4103/ijo.IJO_3119_20