20 August 2021
Dear Team,
I wanted to touch base with you and firstly thank you all for all that you are doing in terms of keeping the site safe and all of the extra work that you are doing surrounding the Rapid Antigen Testing. The success of this and keeping COVID-19 from the site is down to all of your hard work and I thank you for everything that you do to keep residents and staff safe.
That being said, it has come to my attention that at another provider, a staff member has tested positive for COVID and has then worked in that facility whilst infectious. The service does offer Rapid Antigen Testing, however it has become apparent that the process for testing was not followed, which in turn has allowed the virus to enter into the service.
As a reminder, please ensure the following:
- Staff are observed at all times during the process
- Staff must wait the appropriate time for the test result before entering the building (this is a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 15 minutes)
- Sufficient fluid is added to the test strip so that the entire test panel is wet
- The Control Line is evident on the test
- The test result is sighted by the Registered Nurse prior to the staff entering the building
- Good lighting is available so that you are able to see the control and test lines easily
- Testing is voluntary, however staff must present to the testing station and complete the decline to test form if the refuse to be tested. Please note that this part is compulsory
- As a refresher please read through the flow charts that are at each testing station around the process should a staff member test positive.
One again, thank you for your hard work during these difficult times. I hope that you and your families all remain safe.
Thank you
Sharon Fletcher
Operations Manager
Whiddon Easton Park