NJAASC has curated authoritative information and a list of resources for our Membership’s reference. We will continue to update this as more information becomes available.
PAST COVID E-BLAST HAVE BEEN ARCHIVED DUE TO SPACE RESTRAINTS AND TO KEEP THINGS CURRENT.
All:
So now we have the ability to use all types of testing for our patients.
I have been getting a lot of questions and feedback, and I just want to make sure that everyone understands what needs to be done- IF you are going to perform your own tests at your center.
First- when you read the revised ED (page 8- c.), it is very apparent to me that this ED was changed first and foremost to allow laboratories to utilize any test for viral detection. This ED was not intended to tell centers that they should start doing this on their own. Indeed you have to go all the way down to iii. before any mention of facilities that perform is written- to me almost an afterthought. This was not a mandate for centers to go out and do things on their own. That does not mean you cannot perform tests, but it was not meant to remove laboratories from the equation. Indeed our major point to the Department was to allow additional types of tests that labs can use to speed up the process.
Patient safety is the primary concern, with the lag in time between the test and then getting results and then performing the procedure measured in days- three, four or more. As more restrictions are loosened and people are back to work, it should be a big concern to all of you if your patients are indeed quarantining as they should. Remember the quarantine portion of elective procedures is as important as the test itself. It has been my contention to the Department that by allowing labs to perform tests that provide faster results, you alleviate these issues. And quite frankly in my opinion having worked with them on this, that is exactly what they did.
Now that said if you do intend to do it yourself, make sure you do it the right way. Do you understand everything that is involved in the process?
From where you perform the test (I hope you would not allow an untested person to come into the core of your facility for a test!), to CLIA, to test result reporting- yes now YOU have to report test results to the appropriate authorities.
So consider everything before you make any kind of decision.
Jeff
NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL DURING THE PANDEMIC
Did I misunderstand Stephanie yesterday when that question was asked of her regarding having IP consultants visiting? It sounded as if she was saying the ED still does not consider them essential and we should only be inviting them in at this point if we are having an Infection Control issue, not for a routine visit. Just wanted to clarify this again.
You did not misunderstand, this is part of EO 145 and has not been amended or rescinded. While the question and example are for IP consultants, it is not just them, but applies to everyone. You really need to look at and limit who is coming into your facility.
Jeff
Below is an old Q&A from the Department regarding this issue
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Is the expectation that the ambulatory care centers have Infection Prevention consultant visits now? The current Executive Order restricts entrance to the ASC for anyone non-essential. Routine visits would not be advised at this time. If a facility is having an IC issue, and a visit is warranted, the ICP would be considered essential.
COVID RELATED QUESTIONS
Two Questions from other consultant and a client:
- What is the procedure for reporting the results of the testing in the centers? To whom do they report and how?
- We should make sure that the testing, since we do not know if the patient is positive, should be done in a separate area so if the patient is positive there will be no exposure. What are the recommendations?
The question regarding the reporting of cases was sent from the ASC Association either yesterday or today. There’s info on the use of CDRSS and contacting the LHD.
We do not have a recommendation as to where to conduct the testing. As per the ED, the facility should have the absolute least amount of people present in the ASC. In addition, everyone should be wearing masks/PPE and should be socially distanced. I can’t give any specific recommendations since the layout of ASCs varies widely.
THANKS
Stefanie
Stefanie Mozgai, BA, RN, CPM
Assistant Commissioner
Department of Health
All:
I would weigh in on this. My assumption is that it is pretty much intuitive that you would not want someone who has not been tested into the confines of your ASC- to be tested!
Centers doing this are using outside tents for instance, or utilizing a room or space that is not connected to/contiguous to the center itself for safety.
Again, these are considerations you need to think about before you jump and do testing yourself- plus reporting, CLIA etc. The revised ED was great, but there are lots of things to consider before you go that route.
Jeff
REPORTING OF TEST RESULTS IF YOU PERFORM YOUR OWN TESTING
All healthcare providers, laboratories, and facilities performing testing for COVID-19 must report COVID-19-positive and negative laboratory- test results (molecular, antigen, serology) to public health authorities electronically through the state’s Communicable Disease Reporting and Surveillance System (CDRSS). All reported cases must contain complete contact information for the patient and healthcare provider. Outpatient providers and administrators of other facilities should request COVID-19 Quick Start access to CDRSS and report all laboratory test results electronically into CDRSS. See https://cdrs.doh.state.nj.us/cdrss/login/loginPage for Quick Start training and access.
Facilities/providers with a large volume of test reports to report should contact CDRSS Admin personnel to discuss alternatives for electronic reporting: cdrs.admin@doh.nj.gov.
In the interim, providers and facilities should notify the local health department (LHD) by telephone and the LHD should enter the information in CDRSS (with the exception of negative serology results for LHDs only). Persons with pending COVID-19 test results do not need to be entered in CDRSS.
Edward Lifshitz, MD, FACP
Medical Director
Infectious and Zoonotic Disease Program
Communicable Disease Service
