Private PCR testing company At present ... New Corona April 30 16:42
An inspection company in Nagano Prefecture, which conducts PCR tests to confirm the infection of the new coronavirus, responded to NHK's interviews and is currently able to respond to inspection requests, but if the number of inspections increases rapidly in the future, small and medium-sized inspection companies Then, he said that securing supplies and lack of manpower could make it difficult to respond.
"Miroku Medical Laboratory," which has laboratories in Nagano and Saitama prefectures, has been undertaking PCR tests for new coronaviruses since March, and tests specimens collected at hospitals in Nagano and Ibaraki prefectures that have contracts. I am doing. We have set up a system to carry out about 100 inspections in one day at two laboratories, but at present, we request about 30 inspections per day.
However, if the number of inspections increases sharply in the future, it may take some time for small and medium-sized inspection companies to secure the necessary supplies, or lack of manpower, making it difficult to respond. Demand for rods used to collect specimens from the nose, liquids to carry specimens, and reagents necessary for testing is increasing everywhere, and depending on the manufacturer, it may take about three weeks to obtain them. Is that.
In addition, when I ordered in the middle of this month to increase the number of machines used for testing, it was said that the delivery would be in late May, and it also takes time to transport the samples from the hospital to the laboratory, so small and medium-sized testing companies For him, it is said that there are circumstances in which it is difficult to expand the number of hospitals with which a contract is signed.
President Kiyoko Tamai said, “There are not so many requests for inspections. I want to manage the situation where there are many people who cannot be inspected, and I am considering whether we can accept contracts from other areas such as Tokyo where demand is high. "The PCR test itself is time-consuming and time-consuming, and because of the shortage of inspection technicians and the time it takes to deliver machines and supplies, I think the current situation is that we cannot proceed as expected. I feel that it is important not to be limited only by the number, but how to make decisions so that the necessary tests can be performed when needed. "
PCR test More than 30% is private company
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, there are currently over 16,000 PCR tests for new coronavirus that can be carried out in Japan on the 28th, of which about 5820 are private inspection companies, accounting for more than 30%. I will.
On the other hand, the number of PCR tests actually carried out by private inspection companies has increased in April, but 2187 cases were recorded on April 27th, and 2669 cases were recorded on April 25th, which was the highest. .
NHK interviewed three major companies out of the 27 companies that were entrusted with the PCR test and found that the inspection system was in place, and for the time being it is able to handle the requested amount. However, some small and medium-sized companies may take time to obtain the reagents, materials, equipment, etc. necessary for the test depending on the manufacturer, and there are also concerns that they will be able to cope with the rapid increase in the test in the future. did.
In what case?
PCR test to check for new coronavirus infection. When is it happening now?
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, first of all, if you have a fever of 37 ° C for 5 minutes or more and a symptom of a cold for 4 days or more, or if you feel tired or suffocating even if it is less than 4 days, the We are calling to contact the Contact / Contact Center. Elderly people, people with underlying illnesses, and pregnant women call for consultation when symptoms continue for about two days.
If the consultation center determines that a test is necessary, a "returnee / contact outpatient clinic" that is not open to the public will be introduced, and a sample will be collected there.
In addition to this route, local medical associations and other organizations have set up test centers and have started a test system that bypasses public health centers. If your family doctor determines it is necessary, you will be asked to visit the center to collect the samples required for PCR.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says that "a doctor should perform an inspection if he / she needs it," but in what cases will he / she decide that an inspection is necessary? The Japan Society for Environmental Infectious Diseases states that "patients with pneumonia that require hospitalization and strongly suspect viral pneumonia", and in principle mild patients are excluded from the test.
In addition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Association uses blood tests and X-rays to check for other pneumonia as a standard for the diagnosis of the family doctor, and general pneumonia is treated for about 3 days. However, if the symptom does not improve, it cannot be denied that the patient is infected with the new coronavirus, and PCR testing is required.
Some people get seriously untested
There is a woman who complains that her family has been difficult to undergo PCR and has become severe.
A woman in her 20s living in Saitama Prefecture responded to the interview, and her grandfather in her 80s was infected with the new coronavirus. According to a woman, her grandfather in her 80s had a fever of 37 degrees and 5 minutes on April 6, and once the fever had dropped, she had a fever again. After calling my family doctor, I called the counseling office of the local government to have a PCR test, but he said that he was not connected at all.
My grandfather continued to receive medical treatment at home without being examined, and two days after calling the window, he fell down at home and was transported to an emergency. There, he finally got a PCR test and was confirmed to be infected, but this time he couldn't immediately find a hospital where he could be hospitalized, and he was instructed by the public health center to return to his home.
The condition worsened, and the next day, I became dyspnea and was admitted to a medical institution where I was treated in an intensive care unit.
The woman said, "I wanted to have the test done as soon as possible, but I couldn't connect at all when I called the public health center. Even after being carried in an ambulance, the serious situation continued, and I was told to be prepared." I think I had the timing to get the test done sooner, and I'm full of regrets that I should be able to respond more quickly. "
"It is essential to carry out a thorough inspection" Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Regarding the indication that necessary people have not been tested, Mr. Masafumi Sakoi, Deputy Secretary of the Minister's Secretariat of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said, `` Since the infection is now widespread, it is necessary to make a flexible decision. There is an opinion that the examination system is not yet sufficient, but basically the number of cases has greatly increased. What is judged necessary by the doctor should be thoroughly examined. It's a basic thing to do, and I would like to have a sense of speed while also participating in medical meetings that are closer to the field. "
"Avoid self-examination" Specialist
Hideaki Oka, a specialist in infectious diseases and a professor at Saitama Medical University General Medical Center, commented on the issue of expanding the inspection system: “Some doctors are worried about how to use protective clothing and how to collect samples. However, there is a very shortage of manuals and goods. We should also take measures to ensure safe inspections. ”
He also pointed out that the person receiving the test needs attention, saying, "If a person who has no symptoms begins to undergo the test to get rid of anxiety, it may lead to a medical breakdown in the field. Negative or mild people are negative. I would like people to avoid seeing medical institutions at their own discretion for proof. "