COVID-19

1 COVID-19 HCW Front of the Line: Abbott ID NOW Key Messages and Questions and Answers Updated: January 14, 2022 Test to Protect and Health-Care Worker Front of the Line: Abbott ID NOW Key Messages COVID-19 is still present throughout Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) continues to recommend health-care workers (HCWs) with covid symptoms, even if they are mild, be tested for COVID-19 with a Point of Care (POC) PCR test through the HCW Front of the Line Program or a lab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Testing continues to be offered through Saskatchewan Health Authority Primary Care Teams at the Test and Assessment Centers and appointments can be booked online through the SHA Patient Booking System or by calling HealthLine 811. At this time, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is not determined by age but by immunization status.

2 The data is clear that the best way to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community from serious illness and death is to be fully immunized and continue to get tested. Abbott ID NOW is a Point of Care PCR testing system that is being used in acute care and has expanded to COVID-19 testing and assessment centers though the HCW Front of the Line Program and should only be used by the following employees and their families, including SHA staff, First Nations ISC/NITHA staff, SHA practitioner staff, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) health-care workers, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) staff or contract SHA employees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (symptomatic), have a positive self-test ( rapid antigen test [RAT]) or have been identified as a close contact. Abbott ID NOW POC PCR testing provides quick confirmatory covid PCR test results for symptomatic health-care workers and their families, returning those with a negative result back to the workforce sooner and allowing for early identification of outbreaks if an employee tests positive.

3 SHA personnel (both internal and contracted) who receive a positive result on a self-test ( rapid antigen test) or have covid symptoms are required to self-isolate immediately and book a confirmatory Abbott ID NOW Point of Care (POC) or lab PCR test if POC PCR testing is not accessible. covid lab PCR tests can be booked online through the SHA Patient Booking System or visit a drive-thru or walk-in testing site if available in your area. For HCW prioritization, submit a HCW Front of the Line Abbott ID NOW POC PCR request form to the closest participating SHA COVID-19 Test and Assessment Centre located on the HCW Front of the Line POC PCR testing site list and the test centre will contact you directly to arrange a Point of Care PCR test. For HCWs who have a booked lab PCR test, upon arrival for your appointment you can request to receive a POC PCR test at the participating SHA testing sites.

4 Team capacity across the province is being stretched during this fifth wave. By allowing SHA personnel and their families to use Abbott ID NOW for COVID-19 POC PCR test results, health-care workers will be under less pressure as they will know their COVID-19 health status allowing them to return to work or to immediately self-isolate. Lab licensure and completion of training modules under the Testing Clinical Standard are required prior to the mobilization of an Abbott ID NOW for use in symptomatic staff. Please contact the testing team or lab medicine prior to making any adjustments to your testing platforms. Abbott ID NOW POC PCR Testing cannot be used to provide proof of negative COVID-19 test results for the Monitored Testing Program (MTP) or proof of negative test in community businesses, events or agencies. For more information about the HCW Front of the Line Program, visit Abbott ID NOW on the Saskatchewan Health Authority s website.

5 Questions and Answers 1. Why should I use Abbott ID NOW point of care (POC) PCR testing? A: Abbott ID NOW POC PCR testing creates faster access to COVID-19 testing and immediate access to test results for health-care workers and their families. The new access to POC PCR testing through the HCW Front of the Line Program will provide teams with additional capacity to support the fight against COVID-19 . 2. Who can use Abbott ID NOW for point of care PCR testing? A: Abbott ID NOW is a point of care PCR testing system that is currently being used at the point of care in acute care and has expanded to be used at COVID-19 testing and assessment centers who have an approved lab COVID-19 HCW Front of the Line: Abbott ID NOW Key Messages and Questions and Answers Updated: January 14, 2022 licensure change and who have completed the appropriate training modules.

6 The POC PCR test is available by appointment for employees and their families, including SHA staff, First Nations ISC/NITHA staff, SHA practitioner staff, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA) health-care workers, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) staff or contract SHA employees who are symptomatic, have a positive self-test, or have been identified as a close contact. 3. Who is considered SHA staff, First Nations ISC/NITHA staff, SHA practitioner staff, SCA health-care workers, CBS staff or contract SHA employees? A: The availability for staff to use POC PCR testing with Abbott ID NOW is further defined as SHA staff (all SHA employees), First Nations ISC/NITHA staff (all First Nations ISC/NITHA employees), SHA practitioner staff (all SHA physicians), SCA HCWs (all SHCA health-care workers), Canadian Blood Services (all CBS staff) and contract SHA employees (private and public EMS).

7 4. Does Abbott ID NOW POC PCR testing require training? A: Yes, the instructions for accessing online Abbott ID NOW POC testing training can be found on the Abbott ID NOW SHA webpage. The site lab license identifies who are the qualified professionals able to operate the device. 5. How can HCWs participating in the HCW Front of the Line Program self-refer to the testing sites? A: Health-care workers can self-refer by emailing their request form to a participating SHA COVID-19 Test and Assessment Centre located on the HCW Front of the Line POC PCR testing site list and the test centre will contact you directly to arrange a Point of Care PCR test. 6. How long does it take to receive Abbott ID Now POC PCR test results? A: Results are known within 15 minutes after the specimen is taken. 7. When can Abbott ID NOW be used for SHA employees and their families?

8 A: Abbott ID NOW should be used when SHA employees and their families are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have a positive self-test ( rapid antigen test), or have been identified as close contact. 8. Where is the use of Abbott ID NOW for SHA employees and contract SHA employees available? A: The pilot for the use of Abbott ID NOW for SHA employees and contract SHA employees began in Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon the week of October 25. Additional POC PCR SHA testing sites will be added soon. 9. Is booking a confirmatory lab PCR test with HealthLine 811 or visiting a drive-thru testing site still an option? A: Currently, booking a COVID-19 lab PCR testing appointment through the SHA Patient Booking System, with HealthLine 811 or visiting a SHA Drive-Thru Testing site is currently still an option if Abbott ID NOW Point of Care PCR testing is not accessible.

9 However, this may change based on data from the pilot. 10. Can Abbott ID NOW POC PCR Testing be used for the Monitored Testing Program (MTP)? A: No, the Monitored Testing Program (MTP) is a safety measure for the Proof of Full COVID-19 Vaccination policy which is separate from the use of Abbott ID NOW for symptomatic health-care workers. Abbott ID NOW POC PCR testing should only be used when SHA employees and contract SHA employees are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have a positive self-test ( rapid antigen test), or have been identified as close contact. 11. Do I need to fill the lab License document when my facility already has a licensed laboratory? A. Yes, you will need a separate Lab License to perform Abbott ID NOW POC testing. You will be considered a lab when all quality components of training are completed for the identified qualified professionals performing the POC testing, and the centres will be responsible for the entire process: documenting trained staff, following Clinical Procedure, entering results into electronic requisition, reporting POC test results to MRP, and MHO fax 306-766-3398 when positive.

10 Maintain patient test results on health record. SHA Laboratory Medicine does not oversee the quality of performing covid point of care testing. Quality oversight is conducted by the Ministry Service Branch who issues all laboratory licenses within Saskatchewan. SHA Laboratory Medicine is involved in the development of training material which provides the standard work required to meet licensing requirements. 12. Where can I find additional information? A: For more information on the Health-Care Workers Front of the Line Program, visit Abbott ID NOW on the SHA website and review the frequently asked Questions Abbott ID NOW Point of Care COVID-19 Testing document.