A Rapid Nucleic Acid Amplification Test-Based, Conditional Release-to-Work Policy for Health Care Personnel With...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Assays
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Healthcare personnel (HCP) with COVID-19 symptoms typically undergo SARS-CoV-2 testing in clinical laboratories.
• Results from traditional laboratory-based assays often have a turnaround time of 24 hours or more.
• Delayed results can lead to prolonged absence from work for HCP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a rapid nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) for SARS-CoV-2 detection at the point of care for HCP.
• To assess the diagnostic accuracy and impact of a rapid NAAT strategy on work-related outcomes.

Main Methods:

• An observational study was conducted over 16 weeks, comparing a rapid NAAT performed at the point of contact with a standard NAAT assay from a clinical laboratory.
• 577 paired rapid and routine NAAT results were analyzed.
• Diagnostic accuracy metrics, including positive and negative predictive values, were calculated.

Main Results:

• The rapid NAAT demonstrated a positive predictive value of 90.0% and a negative predictive value of 95.2%.
• The implementation of the rapid test strategy resulted in an estimated 160 to 184 avoided lost work shifts over a 4-month period.
• This indicates a significant reduction in workdays lost due to symptom-related absence.

Conclusions:

• A rapid NAAT-based testing strategy is effective for the timely and safe clearance of symptomatic HCP.
• This approach facilitates an earlier return to work for employees confirmed to be uninfected with SARS-CoV-2.
• The rapid testing improves operational efficiency in healthcare settings by minimizing disruptions caused by staff absences.