B.C. has a large stockpile of rapid test kits—how can care providers put them to use?
Thanks to a major investment by the federal government, B.C. has had a stockpile of over 1 million COVID-19 rapid test kits. As of May 1st, only a small fraction of the kits have been used, with an even smaller number deployed in long-term care, assisted and independent living settings to protect residents, staff and visitors. A 2-month pilot was conducted last winter, and the results were promising—proving that a rapid test could catch positive cases and save lives. In March, the Provincial Health Office provided their guidelines for the wider use of rapid testing.
So how can rapid testing be adopted across the continuing care sector, and what has the experience been of the care providers already using the kits?
BC Care Providers Association and SafeCare BC are pleased to co-present an important and timely Lunch + Learn online forum titled Screening for COVID-19: Using Rapid Tests in Continuing Care Settings with the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) and a panel of healthcare experts with experience in using rapid testing in care.
This session will be an opportunity to hear about how rapid testing is being used as an effective COVID-19 screening tool in care homes, and how interested operators across the sector can participate. During the event, there will be time provided for the panel to respond to questions from the audience.
When: May 6th, 2021
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Where: Zoom (login provided upon registration)
Admission: FREE for anyone in our sector seeking to learn more about rapid testing
Moderator: Mike Klassen, BCCPA VP Public Affairs
Confirmed panelists:
Zahida Esmail – Director, Pandemic Response, Provincial Health Services Authority
Debra Hauptman – CEO, Langley Lodge
Dr. Nancy Matic – Medical Microbiologist, Providence Health Care
Dr. Victor Leung – Medical Director Infection Prevention and Control Physician Lead, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Providence Health Care
Siân Roberts – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Professional Practice Team, Vancouver Coastal Health
