By Nur Najia Izzati
The whole world was awakened by a scary alarm called COVID-19. Most of the countries implemented various preventative measures to help contain the spread of the virus. As for Malaysia, we started with a phase called the Movement Control Order, followed by Conditional Movement Control Order and Recovery Movement Control Order.
Due to the hassle of the global pandemic, State Registered Nurse at KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital Sha Farradiyana Mashulhafis, 22, shared her experience in handling COVID-19 testing. It is a new procedure handled by the medical front liners at both government and private hospitals.
In April 2020, Farradiyana started her duty assisting doctors and nurse managers in handling the patients suspected of COVID-19. She had alternate days of registration and assisting the COVID-19 tests. KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital started to provide the tests for RM600 but reduced the price by RM388 then. They were carried out in a cabin placed at the hospital compound.
“The procedure involves two tests which are the nasal swab and throat swab. The test would be carried out on both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The specimen that has been taken from the test would only last for 72 hours and would be kept in a biohazard plastic with ice packs to make sure it is held at a suitable temperature before it is sent to the lab.
“The procedures of detecting COVID-19 patients through the test involves three subs departments – the doctors, nurses, and lab officers. The results of the tests can be obtained within 48 hours where the hospital would give you a call and instructions on what to do next if you are tested positive,” she explained.
It is important to carry out the tests to prevent the virus from being spread. Farradiyana also explained that symptoms of COVID-19 patients depend on the individual. The common symptoms of COVID-19 are shortness of breath, fever, cough, and headache. However, in some cases, some patients are asymptomatic which means that they do not present any symptoms.
Patients that have been interviewed must be honest in declaring their travel history too. They should declare if they were associated with any confirmed case-patients of COVID-19 or attended any event associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. This is because more precautionary steps need to be taken if they have any history related to the outbreak as they have a higher risk of getting infected.
Farradiyana had experience in seeing one of the wards that needed to be closed as one of the patients was confirmed positive after he was discharged from the ward. The patient lied about his traveling history of joining the tabligh assembly in Sri Petaling, which caused everyone who was staying and working in the ward to be quarantined for 14 days. By not declaring the facts about ourselves, it could increase the risk of others getting infected too.
Farradiyana had experience in seeing one of the wards that needed to be closed as one of the patients was confirmed positive after he was discharged from the ward. The patient lied about his traveling history of joining the tabligh assembly in Sri Petaling, which caused everyone who was staying and working in the ward to be quarantined for 14 days. By not declaring the facts about ourselves, it could increase the risk of others getting infected too.
In this critical and historical moment, everyone should take precautionary steps to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. We must appreciate our front liners' hard work as they have sacrificed a lot for the world. Now, this is the time for us to become the front liners by practicing social distancing and good hygiene such as washing our hands regularly and use the hand sanitizer. Make sure to seek medical advice if you have any suspected symptoms.
Knowledge Corner!
These are the procedures on how the swab tests are carried out.
NASAL SWAB
• Label tube of UTM legibly with patient’s name, date of birth, identity card number, a medical record number.
• Use the flexible shaft nasopharyngeal (NP) swab provided to collect the specimen.
• Ask the patient to blow the nose to check for obstruction.
• Tilt patient’s head back to 70 degrees then insert the swab into nostril parallel to the palate (not upwards) until resistance is encountered or the distance is equivalent to that from nostrils to outer opening of patient’s ear indicating contact with the nasopharynx.
• Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
• Then, gently remove the swab while rotating it.
• Insert the swab into UTM tube, making certain the swab tip is covered by the liquid in the tube & securely tighten the cap of the tube
THROAT SWAB
Use a throat swab to collect specimens by swabbing the patient’s posterior pharynx and tonsillar area (avoid touching tongue).
Leave swab in place for several seconds to absorb secretions.
Then, take out the swab gently.
Insert the swab into the UTM tube, making certain the swab tip is covered by the liquid in the tube & securely tighten the cap of the tube.
After the throat & nasal swab done, recheck the label at the UTM tube (patient’s name, date of birth, I/C number, medical record number) with two identifiers.
Complete the covid19 laboratory test requisition form. Ensure all information is legible, complete, and accurate.
Insert the tube into a specimen transport bag and close the bag tightly.
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