Abbott ID NOW Covid- 19 Test

Hi Ashley - my sites have been using ID NOW for Covid since early-mid-2020? It is considered waived, but can only be used while EUA is happening. 

It does seem like a fairly accurate test, but I have had a few issues:
 
I had one location that had EXTREEMLY high turn over during the first part of the pandemic, so it was hard to keep everyone trained (they would just start someone new without letting me know and I don't think the training for those employees was sufficient). That location ended up having a 'Positive' room - everyone they tested  in that particular room was testing positive and they didn't think anything was weird about that for a few days. (this was likely a contamination problem) Unfortunately, we know of at least one false positive and possibly many more, but the staff  also didn't listen to my instructions on how to ID patient tests (with MRN) and so most of the patients I was looking for were identified by 'test' or 'xx'. If yours will be interfaced and you use the scanner this can be avoided. (sadly, none of my POC is interfaced)

The other issue I see frequently is user error either rushing the test (doing the next step before the instrument tells you to) and/or not pressing hard enough to dispense the aspirated liquid when you are transferring from the blue cup to the orange cup. People listen for the clicks rather than watching the orange bubble, resulting in an invalid test.

We are also having problems at ALL of my locations with staff testing themselves (w/o a doctor order or anything else). It isn't just MAs - providers and admin are doing it as well and that is all creating a big headache for me. 

If you use the ID NOW for other tests (flu/rsv/strep) be aware that all the kit boxes look very similar. I ordered different colored neon stickers that have the test name on them so that staff will have one more visual cue as to what test they are grabbing.

Hope all this helps!

Thanks Jill!  I 'm hoping that we will just have 1 set employee who will be performing this test for us which hopefully would eliminate some of the issues you mentioned.  The plan is for us to use this on our symptomatic employees.  We are currently using the BinaxNOW Ag Card but our supply of those is limited (like everything else) so we are going to make the switch to the ID NOW.  I believe we are going to get an in-service when we get the instruments and hopefully by that point we will have decided on the designated employee to perform and they can participate in that.  We will only be using the Covid-19 test so no worries about grabbing the incorrect kit.  I was looking at the step by step instruction and it seems like they may try and get in a hurry and rush the process along.  I don't believe we will be interfacing so I will have to be very clear with my instruction on entering patient ID.  Thank you for all your input!  I will try and make sure they understand the importance of keeping the area clean and changing gloves frequently.  Thanks again!