The guidance on this page relates to Mid-Mersey division staff who transferred from North West Boroughs Healthcare on 1 June 2021.

Mid Mersey division staff should now follow the Trust’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) for swabbing, isolating and visiting inpatients.

The main changes to the procedures are listed below:

  • Newly admitted patients are now required to receive three negative swabs - on day one, day three and between days five and seven, before ending their isolation
  • If a patient tests positive for COVID-19, they must then complete an isolation period of 14 days
  • Each inpatient is permitted to have one visitor a week
  • Wards are expected to record their own COVID swabbing results on Rio. For more information, please see the Mid Mersey division COVID-19 swabbing reporting guide.

How do I record a patient’s Covid-19 swab on Rio? Do I need to record anything if a patient refuses the swab? 

All planned swabs should be logged on Rio using the Inpatient Screening and Testing Form, even if a patient refuses the swab.

Please refer to the Covid-19 Inpatient Screening and Testing Form User Guide for further guidance on how to access and navigate the form.

I am a staff member on an inpatient ward and have completed a PCR swab due to an outbreak or an asymptomatic testing regime. How should I label my sample?     

It is vitally important that you label your specimen bottle and complete and print out a microbiology lab form. You will then need to place the form into the outer bag of your COVID-19 sample before returning. You can print as many of these forms as you like but if any of your details change you will have to complete the form again.

The form can be accessed here: apps.shk.nhs.uk/Microbiology

Step-by-step instructions can be found here.

If the bottle is not labelled or form not completed, your results may not receive your results in a timely manner.

If you haven’t had a result after 24 hours, then please contact covid.feedback@knowsleyccg.nhs.uk to request the ICE system is checked.

What PPE do I need to wear in the event of a medical emergency on the ward?

In the event of a cardiac arrest, staff must now follow the updated guidance on YourSpace. Staff should don level 3 PPE before undertaking an aerosol generated procedure. This includes during a cardiac arrest. Level 3 PPE packs are available with the resuscitation equipment on each inpatient ward. Remember to dispose of the PPE appropriately after use.