Protocol for In-House Testing

Urine Dip

    1. Supplies needed (found in bathroom bins): clear urine collection cup with green lid + castile wipe + sharpie
    2. Show patient to bathroom and explain process for a clean catch urine sample – Add name to urine cup, wipe with castile wipe, begin urinating then stop, begin urinating again into cup, fill at least halfway with urine if possible, screw lid on cup and place in collection bin, finish using bathroom, etc.
    3. Once patient has completed collection, take sample to lab and test urine using dip stick and urinalysis machine. Leave urine cup with remaining urine on the counter.
    4. Take results to provider right away. If provider wants a culture to be sent out, let Lab Manager know and they will handle from there. If provider does NOT need urine culture, be sure to return to lab and dispose of urine in bathroom toilet and throw cup away
    5. Document results in a subnote of the Encounter note where the in-house test was ordered using the chart part “urinedip”

Urine Pregnancy Test

        1. Supplies needed (found in bathroom bins): clear urine collection cup with green lid + sharpie
        2. Show patient to bathroom and instruct patient to collect regular urine sample – Add name to urine cup, collect urine in cup filling it at least halfway full if possible, screw lid on cup and place in collection bin, finish using bathroom, etc.
        3. Once patient has completed collection, take sample to nurses station and test sample using HCG test kit – follow instructions in kit
        4. Document results in a subnote of the Encounter note where the in-house test was ordered using the chart part “pregnancytest_results”

FluA/FluB/COVID Nasal Swab

          1. Supplies needed: Swab from test kit in nurses station, gloves, mask (in drawer in nurses station)
          2. Perform test in provider’s patient room – this is the same process as our MARCONS test kits – insert swab into each nostril until you meet slight resistance (have patient blow out gently through their nose if they are bracing against the swab) and then swirl around 2-3 times. Be sure to have tissue ready for patient in case it makes their eyes water/sneeze/etc
          3. Follow instructions in test kit for processing sample
          4. Document results in a subnote of the Encounter note where the in-house test was ordered using the chart part “rapidflu/covidtest_results”

RSV Nasal Swab***cannot be performed on patient >5 years old

            1. Supplies needed: Swab from test kit in nurses station, gloves, mask (in drawer in nurses station)
            2. Perform test in provider’s patient room – this is the same process as our MARCONS test kits – insert swab into each nostril until you meet slight resistance (have patient blow out gently through their nose if they are bracing against the swab) and then swirl around 2-3 times. Be sure to have tissue ready for patient in case it makes their eyes water/sneeze/etc
            3. Follow instructions in test kit for processing sample
            4. Document results in a subnote of the Encounter note where the in-house test was ordered using the chart part “rsvtest_results”

Rapid Strep Test Throat Swab+/- send out culture (DPC provider will indicate if send out culture is ordered as well PRIOR to any test being done)

              1. Supplies needed: Swab from test kit in nurses station, gloves, mask (in drawer in nurses station) +/- Swab for send out culture (ask Lab Manager for correct swab, if ordered)
              2. Perform test in provider’s patient room – have patient open mouth and say “Ah,” quickly but gently swab each side of the throat using a half circle motion. Patient may gag or cough, so be prepared
              3. Follow instructions in test kit for processing sample
              4. Document results in a subnote of the Encounter note where the in-house test was ordered using the chart part “rapidstreptest_results”
              5. If culture was ordered, hand off sample to Lab Manager for processing and send out after documenting patient name and DOB clearly on sample

Wound Culture Swab

                1. Ensure provider has added actual order to MDHQ. If not, direct them to add order/ask Lab Manager if unsure what type of culture they would like
                2. Ask Lab Manager for correct culture swab
                3. Perform swab in provider’s patient room – swab wound. Document patient name and DOB clearly on sample. Hand off to Lab Manager for processing and send out
                4. Document in chart that test was “Done in office”