PCR test protocol for babies in neonatal
| Authority | Manx Care |
|---|---|
| Date received | 2022-04-26 |
| Outcome | Some information sent but not all held |
| Outcome date | 2022-05-24 |
| Case ID | 2408449 |
Summary
The requester sought details on COVID-19 testing protocols, consent procedures, staff training, and benefit-harm analyses for babies in Manx Care neonatal units. Manx Care provided the testing protocol and details on consent and training but confirmed that no benefit vs harm analysis exists.
Key Facts
- A copy of the 'Surveillance pathway swabbing COVID.pdf' protocol was provided to the requester.
- Parents are advised on routine swabs upon admission, though consent may not be obtained in emergency situations.
- Nurses performing PCR swabbing are trained by the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team.
- Manx Care confirmed that no benefit vs harm analysis has been conducted for testing newborns and babies.
- The request was partially refused under Section 11(3)a of the Act as the specific analysis was not held.
Data Disclosed
- 2408449
- 2022-04-26
- 2022-05-24
- 06.09.22
- 08 September 2022
- V5
- Section 11(3)a
Exemptions Cited
- Section 11(3)a of the Act (practical refusal reason: information not held)
Original Request
I received verbal confirmation from calling the neonatal department, that PCR tests are done on the babies and that they follow the protocol. Can you please confirm whether there is a protocol to have babies receive any type of covid testing, such as PCR or LFT in maternity or neonatal? I unfortunately was refused a copy of the protocol from both neonatal and manxcare departments when I requested. Hence, I am doing an FOI request for: 1. A copy of the covid testing protocol for babies in the above mentioned departments, and details of how often. 2. What parental consent is asked before conducting tests on their respective babies whilst in hospital? 3. For PCR testing and swabbing for covid of these babies, what training is given to those performing this procedure? 4. Has any benefit vs harm analysis been done for performing these tests on newborns and babies? If so, please provide this analysis.
Data Tables (1)
Data Tables (reformatted)
| Question | Response |
|---|---|
| 1. A copy of the covid testing protocol for babies in the above mentioned departments, and details of how often. | Please see the attached the current protocol, "Surveillance pathway swabbing COVID.pdf" |
| 2. What parental consent is asked before conducting tests on their respective babies whilst in hospital? | All parents are advised on the routine swabs that are required on admission to the Neonatal Unit. On some occasions, in emergency situations, this may not be immediate and consent is not possible to obtain. |
| 3. For PCR testing and swabbing for covid of these babies, what training is given to those performing this procedure? | All nurses undertaking PCR swabbing are trained by the IPC team and up to date training records are required to be kept for CPD and statutory functions as part of professional body registration responsibilities. |
| 4. Has any benefit vs harm analysis been done for performing these tests on newborns and babies? If so, please provide this analysis. | While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Manx Care is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. Manx Care have not carried out such analysis. |
| Document Title | Version | Lead Role | Date | Review Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surveillance screening for COVID-19 in Hospitals | V5 | Lead Nurse, Infection Prevention & Control/Complex Discharge Co-ordinator | 06.09.22 | 08 September 2022 |
| Scenario / Condition | Required Action / Protocol |
|---|---|
| Patient being transferred to another ward | Swabbing pathway must continue on the receiving ward. |
| Patients discharged with a transfer of care (e.g., Manannan Court, Care Homes, Learning Disability Homes, reablement service, packages of care in the patient's own home) | PCR swabs must be taken 48 hours prior to transfer/discharge if previously negative. |
| Patient has been positive | Do not re-test, unless the patient is immunocompromised. An immunocompromised patient will need 1 negative sample prior to admission to a Care Home. |
| Patients without Capacity | Best interest principles applied to those without capacity. |
| Patients with Capacity who refuse to have a COVID swab | Have a right to refuse, however, attempts should be made to revisit and explain the reason why this is important. Patients who refuse should have this clearly documented in the health and social care records. |
| Patients who refuse to have COVID admission swabs | Should be isolated 10 days. |
| All hospital admissions | Have a PCR test for COVID-19 (Do not retest if they have been positive for COVID in the last 90 days unless they have new symptoms). |
| Post-admission testing | Repeat PCR COVID-19 test weekly thereafter. |
| General restriction | DO NOT TEST AGAIN FOR 90 DAYS UNLESS PATIENT HAS NEW SYMPTOMS. |
| Patient within 10 days of a positive PCR | If they need [text cut off in source] |
Full Response Text
Manx Care Noble’s Hospital, Strang Braddan, Isle of Man IM4 4R (01624) 650 000
Our ref: 2408449 24 May 2022
Dear ###
We write further to your request which was received on 26 April 2022 and which states:
"I received verbal confirmation from calling the neonatal department, that PCR tests are done on the babies and that they follow the protocol. Can you please confirm whether there is a protocol to have babies receive any type of covid testing, such as PCR or LFT in maternity or neonatal? I unfortunately was refused a copy of the protocol from both neonatal and manxcare departments when I requested. Hence, I am doing an FOI request for: 1. A copy of the covid testing protocol for babies in the above mentioned departments, and details of how often. 2. What parental consent is asked before conducting tests on their respective babies whilst in hospital? 3. For PCR testing and swabbing for covid of these babies, what training is given to those performing this procedure? 4. Has any benefit vs harm analysis been done for performing these tests on newborns and babies? If so, please provide this analysis."
Our Response 1. A copy of the covid testing protocol for babies in the above mentioned departments, and details of how often. Please see the attached the current protocol, “Surveillance pathway swabbing COVID.pdf” 2. What parental consent is asked before conducting tests on their respective babies whilst in hospital? All parents are advised on the routine swabs that are required on admission to the Neonatal Unit. On some occasions, in emergency situations, this may not be immediate and consent is not possible to obtain. 3. For PCR testing and swabbing for covid of these babies, what training is given to those performing this procedure? All nurses undertaking PCR swabbing are trained by the IPC team and up to date training records are required to be kept for CPD and statutory functions as part of professional body registration responsibilities. 4. Has any benefit vs harm analysis been done for performing these tests on newborns
and babies? If so, please provide this analysis While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance Manx Care is unable to provide the information that you have requested. This is in line with Section 11(3)a of the Act, as a practical refusal reason applies; namely we do not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. Manx Care have not carried out such analysis. Please quote the reference number 2408449 in any future communications.
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Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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I will now close your request as of this date.
Surveillance screening for COVID-19 in Hospitals
Surveillance Pathway for COVID-19 Testing in Hospital Settings V5
Lead Nurse, Infection Prevention & Control/Complex Discharge Co-ordinator
Date: 06.09.22
Review Date: 08 September 2022
AllaAaaaaAll
- If the patient is being transferred to another ward their swabbing pathway must continue on the receiving ward. - Patients discharged with a transfer of care e.g. Manannan Court, Care Homes, Learning Disability Homes, reablement service, packages of care in the patient’s own home. PCR swabs must be taken 48 hours prior to transfer/discharge if previously negative. - If the patient has been positive do not re-test, unless the patient is immunocompromised. An immunocompromised patient will need 1 negative sample prior to admission to a Care Home. - Patients without Capacity - best interest principles applied to those without capacity. - Patients with Capacity who refuse to have a COVID swab – have a right to refuse, however, attempts should be made to revisit and explain the reason why this is important. Patients who refuse should have this clearly documented in the health and social care records. - Patients who refuse to have COVID admission swabs should be isolated 10 days. All hospital admissions to have a PCR test for COVID-19 (Do not retest if they have been positive for COVID in the last 90 days unless they have new symptoms) Repeat PCR COVID-19 test weekly thereafter DO NOT TEST AGAIN FOR 90 DAYS UNLESS PATIENT HAS NEW SYMPTOMS - If the patient is within 10 days of a positive PCR, if they need to be transferred for interventional procedures or surgery they must still be treated as a COVID positive. - Repatriation to UK (receiving hospitals discretion) Repeat PCR COVID-19 test on day 4 and 7 of admission SARS-COV-2 Detected SARS-COV-2 Not Detected