COVID-19 Testing Competency Checklist

Policies and Procedures

Locate written infection control policies and procedures.

Verbalizes policy for

·       Specimen Collection for COVID-19 testing

·      Point of Care Antigen Testing

Describes facility policy on immediate mitigation actions with positive results

Hand Hygiene

Demonstrates hand washing with soap and water

Demonstrate hand hygiene using alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR).

Personal Protective Equipment

Nursing

Housekeeping

Demonstrate donning and removal (in the correct sequence) of

·       Gown

·       N95 Respirator

·       Goggles or face shield

·       Gloves

·       Who to contact if additional PPE is needed

Describes facility protocol for reuse and/or extended use of PPE

Identify location and proper storage of Personal Protective Equipment

(Insert any State specific PPE guidance)

Standard Precautions

(All Departments)

(Nurses)State how the facility identifies residents to be placed in transmission-based precautions (i.e., contact, droplet, airborne-if equipped in facility)

Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette

(All Departments)

Demonstrate cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene

Environmental Cleaning

·      Housekeeping

·      Nursing

Housekeeping Staff:

Demonstrate:

·       Demonstrates cleaning and disinfection of room used for testing

Nursing:

Demonstrate cleaning/disinfection of:

·       Testing equipment consistent with manufacturer’s recommendations and product instructions

ALL Staff

Able to identify proper use and follow label directions for each disinfectant used by employee in the facility

(EPA List N disinfectant)

Specimen Collection-Nasopharyngeal Swab (NP)

·       Gathers supplies

o   PPE

o   Sterile synthetic fiber swabs with plastic or wire shafts unless swab provided in POC testing is required for test

o   Sterile transport tube

·       Performs Hand Hygiene

·       Dons PPE in correct sequence

·       Close room door

·       Grasps swab by the end of the handle

·       Inserts swab into nostril parallel to palate until resistance is reached

·       Rolls swab gently and leaves swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions

·       Removes swab slowly while rotating

·       If resident presents with a deviated septum or blockage, use same swab to obtain specimen from the other nostril

·       Promptly tests specimen using point of care antigen test device following manufacturer’s recommendations or places swab into sterile tube with viral transport medium for lab testing

·       If specimen is sent to offsite lab, nurse follows proper labeling and storage policy

·       Cleaning and disinfection according to policy and procedure:

o   Machine in accordance with the manufacturers directions

o   Surfaces

o   Room

·       Doffs PPE in accordance with facility procedure

·       Performs Hand Hygiene

·       Documentation of results per facility procedure

·       Reports positive testing immediately for proper mitigation efforts

Anterior Nasal Swab Specimen Collection

·       Gathers supplies

·       Dons PPE in correct sequence

·       Closes room door

·       Using a sterile flocked or spun polyester swab, insert the entire absorbent tip of the swab (usually ½ to ¾ of an inch inside the nostril and firmly sample the nasal wall by rotating the swab in a circular path against the nasal wall at least 4 times. This should take approximately 15 seconds to collect the sample. Be sure to collect any nasal drainage that may be present on the swab

·       Samples both nostrils with the same swab

·       Completes antigen test promptly following manufacturer’s recommendations

·       Cleaning and disinfection according to policy and procedure:

o   Machine in accordance with manufacture’s instructions

o   Surfaces

o   Room

·       Doffs PPE in accordance with facility procedure

·       Performs Hand Hygiene

·       Documentation of results per facility procedure

·       Reports positive testing immediately for proper mitigation efforts

Nurse

·       Demonstrates POC testing quality control and instrument calibration in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions

·       Describes actions if calibration fails prior to use with another resident specimen

Other (Describe)

Other (Describe)