CovidTestCNX
Testing for COVID-19 in Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Phayao
by Woottichai Khamduang, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University; and Nicole Ngo-Giang-Huong, Nicolas Salvadori and Gonzague Jourdain, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD),
Under the supervision and with the help of Prof. Sakorn Pornprasert, Dean, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University
Initiative supported by Saijo Denki International (ซัยโจ เด็นกิ อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล): settings and tests; the 5% Initiative (France Expertise): organization and management of the service, and IT developments; and Agence Universitiare de la Francophonie (AUF) pour l’extension à Phayao
by Woottichai Khamduang, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University; and Nicole Ngo-Giang-Huong, Nicolas Salvadori and Gonzague Jourdain, French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD),
Under the supervision and with the help of Prof. Sakorn Pornprasert, Dean, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University
Initiative supported by Saijo Denki International (ซัยโจ เด็นกิ อินเตอร์เนชั่นแนล): settings and tests; the 5% Initiative (France Expertise): organization and management of the service, and IT developments; and Agence Universitiare de la Francophonie (AUF) pour l’extension à Phayao
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is a highly contagious respiratory virus. The collection of respiratory samples is regulated and should be performed by trained medical personnel. It is crucial to minimize the risk of virus transmission to healthcare providers and individuals tested.
A user-friendly and safe facility for the collection of nasopharyngeal sample was set up first in Lamphun then replicated in Chiang Mai. The system minimizes direct contacts between health care workers and service users and facilitates disinfection procedures, therefore the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) is minimal.
The team responsible for the sampling has been trained by physicians specializing in infectious disease control. The booths are moveable, and temperature-and air ventilation-controlled. After each sample collection, the part of the booth in contact with the service user is cleaned. The booth can be adapted and used for blood sampling. Sample transportation from the collection site to the reference testing laboratory are handled under controlled temperature (4°C) by trained staff.
PROCESSES
On covidtestcnx.org, clients are first asked to enter a phone number -- which will later be used to notify the test result -- and the 4-digit code that they automatically received by SMS. The client is the only person who can access the test result.
Clients are then asked to answer a short questionnaire to evaluate their risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. Based on their answers, the system automatically displays an advice at the end of the questionnaire: immediately contact a physician in case of severe symptoms, or consider an appointment in case of mild or no symptoms. Clients who decide to take an appointment can select the date and time of their appointment, according to availability, which ensures a smooth flow of clients. The system then sends an appointment confirmation by SMS and email, as well as a unique QR code that the client will be asked to show at the sample collection site
At the sample collection site, unique QR codes are printed in advance on the collection tubes. Before collecting a client’s sample (i.e. nasopharyngeal and throat swabs), the healthcare worker scans the QR code on the tube and then the QR code on the client’s phone. This minimizes the risk of errors when linking tubes and client identifiers.
The tubes are then shipped to the AMS-PHPT laboratory to run the PCR-based testing. The medical technologist in charge uploads each test result onto the system. If the result is negative, the system automatically sends an SMS to the client to inform them of the result and reiterate national recommendations to minimize the risk of transmission. If the result is positive, the system automatically informs the physician in charge, who will then call and inform the client of the result and the procedure to follow. Any positive case is immediately reported to the Provincial Public Health Office.
Mass communication activities have been implemented to inform potential clients of this application, including posts on social media (e.g. Facebook CovidTestCNX account) and interviews to TV channels and local
On covidtestcnx.org, clients are first asked to enter a phone number -- which will later be used to notify the test result -- and the 4-digit code that they automatically received by SMS. The client is the only person who can access the test result.
Clients are then asked to answer a short questionnaire to evaluate their risk of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. Based on their answers, the system automatically displays an advice at the end of the questionnaire: immediately contact a physician in case of severe symptoms, or consider an appointment in case of mild or no symptoms. Clients who decide to take an appointment can select the date and time of their appointment, according to availability, which ensures a smooth flow of clients. The system then sends an appointment confirmation by SMS and email, as well as a unique QR code that the client will be asked to show at the sample collection site
At the sample collection site, unique QR codes are printed in advance on the collection tubes. Before collecting a client’s sample (i.e. nasopharyngeal and throat swabs), the healthcare worker scans the QR code on the tube and then the QR code on the client’s phone. This minimizes the risk of errors when linking tubes and client identifiers.
The tubes are then shipped to the AMS-PHPT laboratory to run the PCR-based testing. The medical technologist in charge uploads each test result onto the system. If the result is negative, the system automatically sends an SMS to the client to inform them of the result and reiterate national recommendations to minimize the risk of transmission. If the result is positive, the system automatically informs the physician in charge, who will then call and inform the client of the result and the procedure to follow. Any positive case is immediately reported to the Provincial Public Health Office.
Mass communication activities have been implemented to inform potential clients of this application, including posts on social media (e.g. Facebook CovidTestCNX account) and interviews to TV channels and local
Contact us
• Woottichai Khamduang woottichai.k@cmu.ac.th
• Nicole Ngo-Giang-Huong Nicole.Ngo-Giang-Huong@phpt.org
• Gonzague Jourdain Gonzague.Jourdain@ird.fr
• Woottichai Khamduang woottichai.k@cmu.ac.th
• Nicole Ngo-Giang-Huong Nicole.Ngo-Giang-Huong@phpt.org
• Gonzague Jourdain Gonzague.Jourdain@ird.fr