LifeLabs has updated its protocols for the coronavirus due to the recent reported escalations. To protect our employees and customers:
We are still actively screening every customer, however, below outlines the changes to our process, including our response actions:
- We are now servicing patients who screen positive, including servicing those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in general.
- We are no longer collecting information about travel history.
- The question about travel history now includes asking if the patient has have traveled anywhere outside of Canada, including the United States.
Any customers who screen positive for suspected COVID-19, according to pre-screening questions provided by Public Health Agency of Canada, will be asked to wear a mask, and will be immediately isolated in a dedicated bleeding station or ECG room at each location for the protection of our customers and employees. Following each customer, the area will be decontaminated.
Important information about testing
Our labs are now able to accept samples for COVID-19 testing, however, LifeLabs cannot collect samples from patients for coronavirus as we do not complete Nasopharyngeal Swab collections, which is the preferred method of collection for suspected coronavirus.
For more information on diagnostics, reporting, and infection prevention and control, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website.