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Sep 8, 2021 10:14 PM -

Royal Columbian hospital starting COVID-19 rapid tests on patients needing urgent, unscheduled surgery

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A Metro Vancouver hospital is now the first in BC to use COVID-19 rapid tests on patients needing urgent, unscheduled surgery.

Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster is using the 15 minute tests after a trial on more than one-thousand asymptomatic patients earlier this year detected two positive cases of the virus.

A statement from Fraser Health says those patients went on to develop COVID-19 while recovering from surgery but were already being treated on a COVID ward protecting staff and other patients.

The health authority says a follow up study also found the rapid tests increase the sense of workplace safety, improve morale, and reduce worry associated with COVID-19.

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