Norwich COVID-19 testing initiative pilot: evaluating the feasibility of asymptomatic testing on a university campus

Background

There is a high prevalence of COVID-19 in university-age students, who are returning to campuses. There is little evidence regarding the feasibility of universal, asymptomatic testing to help control outbreaks in this population. This study aimed to pilot mass COVID-19 testing on a university research park, to assess the feasibility and acceptability of scaling up testing to all staff and students.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional feasibility study on a university research park in the East of England. All staff and students (5625) were eligible to participate. All participants were offered four PCR swabs, which they self-administered over two weeks. Outcome measures included uptake, drop-out rate, positivity rates, participant acceptability measures, laboratory processing measures, data collection and management measures.

Results

798 (76%) of 1053 who registered provided at least one swab; 687 (86%) provided all four; 792 (99%) of 798 who submitted at least one swab had all negative results and 6 participants had one inconclusive result. There were no positive results. 458 (57%) of 798 participants responded to a post-testing survey, demonstrating a mean acceptability score of 4.51/5, with five being the most positive.

Conclusions

Repeated self-testing for COVID-19 using PCR is feasible and acceptable to a university population.

Basic electrocardiogram interpretation for perioperative nurses

CHANGES IN PRACTICE have made knowledge of the cardiac conduction system and basic electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation a necessity because perioperative nurses are required to manage an increasing number of patients undergoing i.v. conscious sedation who require EKG monitoring. RAPID EKG INTERPRETATION can reveal arrhythmias before a patient becomes symptomatic. An EKG can reveal underlying cardiac problems and uncover electrolyte imbalances that, if left untreated, could hinder positive patient outcomes. THE CONDUCTION AND CORONARY ARTERY SYSTEMS of the heart are described to enable identification of normal and abnormal EKG rhythms. Each arrhythmia is described, and potential causes and probable treatments are discussed.

Basic electrocardiogram interpretation for the OR nurse

A basic understanding of electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation is necessary for all perioperative nurses. This includes knowledge of the conduction system of the heart and skill at identification of normal and abnormal EKG rhythms. This article discusses basic EKG interpretation for OR nurses.