Healthcare organization management — Pandemic response (respiratory) — Drive-through screening station

This standard specifies the operation of a drive-through screening station (DTSS) for mass testing as part of pandemic response management. A DTSS can screen thousands of people each day. Those who test positive can be told to self-isolate or are referred for treatment, and those who had been in contact with an infected person told to self-quarantine.

People presenting for screening at a DTSS remain in their car, which acts as a protective barrier for healthcare workers. The standard protocol for operating a DTSS can include a medical interview, examination and specimen collection through the car window. The use of DTSS can reduce the risk of transmission of the disease, relieve pressure on hospitals (which otherwise can be inundated with requests for testing), and allow hospital resources to be used for disease treatment instead of screening.

Main sections:

· Scope

· Terms and definitions

· Overview of DTSS

· Screening process

· Notification of test results

· Annex A: Approaches to and examples of drive-through screening stations