The Implementation and Role of Antigen Rapid Test for COVID-19 in Hemodialysis Units.

Jing Qi, Jia Neng Tan, Soh Heng Hui, Neoh Choo Lim, Titus Lau, Sabrina Haroon
Author Information
  1. Jing Qi: Division of Nephrology, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
  2. Jia Neng Tan: Division of Nephrology, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
  3. Soh Heng Hui: Division of Nephrology, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
  4. Neoh Choo Lim: Division of Nephrology, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
  5. Titus Lau: Division of Nephrology, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
  6. Sabrina Haroon: Division of Nephrology, National University Hospital, Singapore 119074, Singapore.

Abstract

As we move into the third year with COVID-19, many countries have attempted to manage the disease as an endemic. However, this is limited by the disease's morbidity and mortality, the emergence of new strains, and the effectiveness of the vaccine. This brief report describes, evaluates, and discusses the implementation of regular antigen rapid tests (ARTs) for COVID-19 in hemodialysis units. We introduced ARTs during the surge in our hemodialysis units. As compliance with the test was mandatory by regulatory requirements, we surveyed patients and caregivers to measure their acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the ART's implementation. Acceptability measured confidence and level of comfort when performing ART tests, while appropriateness measured the perception of the necessity of ARTs, safety in the dialysis unit with the implementation of ARTs, and understanding using a Likert scale. Feasibility measured the perception of the timely start of dialysis treatment and the convenience of the test. Our survey found that ARTs were acceptable to 98% of patients and caregivers, with the majority reporting no discomfort. The majority of the patients agreed that ARTs were appropriate and feasible. We reported successful ART implementation in a healthcare setting with no false-positive or transmission within the unit during this period. Nevertheless, the long-term implementation outcome will require further evaluation.

Keywords

References

  1. Nephrol Nurs J. 2005 Nov-Dec;32(6):621-31 [PMID: 16425810]
  2. JAMA Netw Open. 2021 Jan 4;4(1):e2035057 [PMID: 33410879]
  3. BMJ. 2020 May 12;369:m1808 [PMID: 32398230]
  4. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Apr 29;8:634203 [PMID: 33996850]
  5. Sci Adv. 2022 Feb 25;8(8):eabm3608 [PMID: 35213224]
  6. Am J Kidney Dis. 2020 Nov;76(5):690-695.e1 [PMID: 32681983]
  7. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 21;19(19): [PMID: 36231229]
  8. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Mar 23;19(7): [PMID: 35409513]
  9. Am J Kidney Dis. 2021 May;77(5):748-756.e1 [PMID: 33465417]
  10. Pediatrics. 2022 Apr 1;149(4): [PMID: 35322270]
  11. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 07;19(2): [PMID: 35055503]
  12. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Apr 10;19(8): [PMID: 35457427]
  13. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Mar 24;3:CD013705 [PMID: 33760236]
  14. J Clin Virol. 2021 Feb;135:104713 [PMID: 33352470]
  15. Lancet. 2021 Dec 4;398(10316):2093-2100 [PMID: 34756184]
  16. Ann Intern Med. 2021 Jul;174(7):1014-1015 [PMID: 33900795]
  17. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Oct 30;18(21): [PMID: 34769968]
  18. Int J Nephrol. 2022 Sep 14;2022:4678717 [PMID: 36160837]
  19. BMC Public Health. 2022 Aug 9;22(1):1511 [PMID: 35941579]
  20. Implement Sci. 2013 Dec 01;8:139 [PMID: 24289295]
  21. PLoS One. 2021 Mar 31;16(3):e0248921 [PMID: 33788882]
  22. Ann Intern Med. 2021 Feb;174(2):286-287 [PMID: 33587872]
  23. Kidney Int. 2020 Jul;98(1):12-16 [PMID: 32471637]
  24. Rev Esp Quimioter. 2020 Dec;33(6):466-484 [PMID: 33070578]
  25. BMJ. 2013 Nov 20;347:f6753 [PMID: 24259324]
  26. J Clin Virol. 2021 Jul;140:104846 [PMID: 33971580]
  27. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2021 Nov 9;36(11):2094-2105 [PMID: 34132811]
  28. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Apr 29;19(9): [PMID: 35564840]
  29. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2020 May 1;35(5):737-741 [PMID: 32196116]
  30. Arch Dis Child. 2020 Dec 17;: [PMID: 33334728]
  31. BMJ. 2020 Sep 25;370:m3755 [PMID: 32978167]
  32. Lancet. 2021 May 15;397(10287):1819-1829 [PMID: 33964222]
  33. J Clin Microbiol. 2020 Jul 23;58(8): [PMID: 32350048]

MeSH Term

Humans
COVID-19
Hospital Units
Renal Dialysis
Delivery of Health Care
Surveys and Questionnaires

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0ARTsimplementationCOVID-19hemodialysispatientsmeasuredunitantigenrapidtestsunitstestcaregiversappropriatenessARTperceptiondialysismajoritymovethirdyearmanycountriesattemptedmanagediseaseendemicHoweverlimiteddisease'smorbiditymortalityemergencenewstrainseffectivenessvaccinebriefreportdescribesevaluatesdiscussesregularintroducedsurgecompliancemandatoryregulatoryrequirementssurveyedmeasureacceptabilityfeasibilityART'sAcceptabilityconfidencelevelcomfortperformingnecessitysafetyunderstandingusingLikertscaleFeasibilitytimelystarttreatmentconveniencesurveyfoundacceptable98%reportingdiscomfortagreedappropriatefeasiblereportedsuccessfulhealthcaresettingfalse-positivetransmissionwithinperiodNeverthelesslong-termoutcomewillrequireevaluationImplementationRoleAntigenRapidTestHemodialysisUnitstesting

Similar Articles

Cited By (2)