The Dubai Health Authority and the Corona Virus Control and Control Center in the emirate have approved standards for the examination of the new corona virus, including the conditions for facilities designated for the Covid 19 test, the same test standards, and the mechanism for collecting, storing and transporting samples to accredited laboratories, with the aim of unifying efforts to diagnose disease and provide the best treatment services .
The Dubai Health Authority said it will update these procedures periodically based on changes in national guidelines and federal decisions, and all relevant health facilities must ensure that they comply with and comply with these requirements to avoid any violations or penalties.
The controls set registration and approval requirements, as Covid 19 testing services are limited to 3 types of laboratories: “Dubai Health Authority laboratories, clinical laboratories in hospitals that deal with Covid 19, and independent clinical laboratories”, and the authority has set two conditions for its agreement to authorize laboratories to perform Covid 19 examinations: A proposal for Dubai Health using the available forms and compliance with inspection requirements.
The authority confirmed that it does not accept any result of the examination of Covid 19 issued by non-accredited laboratories and that these laboratories will be subject to disciplinary procedures, and health facilities that provide services to Covid 19 patients must ensure that there is a contract with medical laboratories accredited by the Dubai Health Authority in the emirate.
The Dubai Health Authority revealed that the samples will not be sent to the clinical laboratories outside the emirate as of June 15, and the laboratories must also be approved by the authority, and the facilities must obtain the approval of the authority to send samples outside Dubai.
Dubai Health has set standards for the Covid 19 test, where the test is only requested by a licensed physician by the authority in accordance with national clinical guidelines and based on priority testing standards, and the test criteria will be updated regularly by the authority and the control and control center, and for cases suspected of With Covid 19, the treating physician must give clear and comprehensive instructions to patients regarding self-quarantine until the results are reported.
The Authority obliged the physician who requests the examination to be responsible for informing the patient of the result as soon as it is positive and gives the necessary information and guidance to the patient according to the national guidelines, with mandatory compliance with the fixed service price of the Coved Test 19 which is AED 370 (including VAT), and refrain from adding any additional fees such as fees Urgent examination, delivery, SMS and more.
The authority stressed that molecular testing laboratories should conduct a polymerase chain reaction reaction (PCR) to diagnose Covid 19 and RT-PCR, as it is the testing methodology used to detect the SARS Cove 2 virus that causes Covid 19, and the laboratory must take an O sample. Two RNAs with quality control in the sampling process.
The laboratory must use two different RT-PCR groups, each group covering two or more genes (ORF1ab / RdRp, N, S, E), and if one gene is discovered with one RT-PCR group, it must be confirmed The test is in another RT-PCR group, and the results should be interpreted according to the instructions issued by the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.
On the collection of samples, the Dubai Health Authority recommended a preliminary diagnostic test for the Corona virus in the samples of the upper respiratory tract and nasopharynx or pharyngeal mouth, the swabs are collected in sterile conditions and immediately placed in a sterile transfer tube of 2-3 ml of viral transport media (VTM). ), As for lower respiratory specimen testing, it is an option for patients with a cough associated with phlegm or patients on ventilator.
The authority stressed that healthcare professionals who collect samples should follow infection control measures and use the recommended personal protective equipment (N95 muzzle, face mask, eye protection, gloves, and protective clothing), provided that only licensed health care professionals in a suitable medical environment collect swabs. As stated 19, wipes should not be collected at home, work, hostels or work camps.
The Dubai Health Authority stressed the need for the accredited health facilities to adhere to filling all patient details accurately and in a timely manner in the system (immunity), and for these health facilities that collect swabs from patients to ensure that the type of swab used corresponds to the test devices in the accredited laboratory conducting the examination.
On the procedures for storing the sample, Dubai Health clarified that a dedicated safe space must be provided with restricted access, and that it should be near the hand washing basin for the safe storage of laboratory samples. The swab is taken in the viral tube under sterile conditions and stored immediately at a temperature The refrigerator (2-8 ° C) or stored in an ice box until it is delivered to the testing laboratory as soon as possible, and in case of delay in transferring the sample more than 24 hours, it must be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature (- 20).
With regard to the procedures for transferring the sample, the authority emphasized that the samples of Covid 19 should be transported through cold chain logistics, and laboratory samples must be collected, transported and safely handled to ensure that the risk of infection is not transmitted to the individuals concerned, and a commitment to transfer samples regularly to avoid delay and collection, and samples are sent within two hours From the time of collection using the double packaging system.
The authority stressed that transport and express mail personnel must take precautions for vital hazardous materials during the transport of samples, and transport staff or the transport company are trained by the collection facility on safe handling practices and infection control measures, and personal protective equipment should be used at all times and to ensure contact precautions and drops.