Testing symptomatic patients for COVID? If you're in Ontario here's what you need to know

As COVID-19 cases surged across the country in December, demand for COVID tests also pushed pharmacies and other testing facilities to their limit. In Ontario, a decision by the Ministry of Health to allow pharmacies to conduct COVID-19 tests on symptomatic patients added another layer of complexity and risk–not to mention more work–for pharmacy teams. If you’re an Ontario pharmacy professional working in a setting that offers COVID-19 tests for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, make sure you’re up-to-date on the latest guidance from the Ontario College of Pharmacists. Read: Lab professionals working 'beyond humanly possible' to process COVID tests in Ontario “Pharmacies that voluntarily offer COVID-19 testing must not impede or limit the public’s accessibility to, or the safe delivery of, other pharmacy services including routine patient care and immunization programs,” the OCP noted in a recent release to introduce the revised guidance. Here’s a summary of the updated COVID testing guidance from the OCP: Compliance with established standards and legislation remains critical The OCP expects pharmacy professionals to follow all relevant federal and provincial legislation, professional standards of practice and code of ethics, as well as Ontario Ministry of Health guidance for in-pharmacy testing. Pharmacy owners, directors and designated managers must also continue to meet the standards of operation for their pharmacy. Ensure you have written policies and procedures in place After assessing if the pharmacy is suitable for COVID-19 testing, pharmacy owners and designated managers must set down written policies, procedures and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure all pertinent laws and standards are met, and are monitored continuously for effectiveness. Read: Steps pharmacies are taking to make symptomatic COVID-19 testing as safe as they can Create a safe space for everyone in your pharmacy Designate a separate, private space for specimen collection and ensure you have separate, secure and temperature-appropriate storage facilities to be used only for COVID-19 test specimens. To continue safeguarding the health and safety of patients, personnel and anyone who comes into your pharmacy, it’s important to adhere to public health physical distancing guidelines and to provide easily accessible and well-equipped hand washing facilities for your team. Stay vigilant with infection prevention and control Continue to implement stringent infection prevention and control measures, including passive and active screening of all patients and staff, appropriate triaging and management of patients who screen COVID-positive, mask requirements for everyone in the pharmacy, routine and post-appointment cleaning and disinfection of your premises, and proper hand hygiene between patient testing as well as pre- post-removal of PPE. Create a safe and efficient workflow In addition to ensuring you have an adequate number of trained and fully vaccinated staff to perform, the OCP recommends optimizing workflow to minimize patient-personnel interactions and movement to various areas of the pharmacy. When possible, book COVID tests in advance and ensure pharmacy professionals performing the tests use the appropriate PPE (see Public Health Ontario’s recommendations for PPE use with suspected or confirmed COVID-19). Keep your patients informed at every stage Take time to explain to your patients what a COVID test entails before inserting a swab into their nasal or throat passage to collect a specimen. Let them know when and how they’ll get their test results, and how follow-up will be communicated. Read: Pharmacies can safely test people with COVID symptoms, Ontario health minister says

Testing symptomatic patients for COVID? If you're in Ontario here's what you need to know

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