tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Public Health
. 2021 Jun 26;198:22-29.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.06.012. Online ahead of print.
A scoping review of the experience of implementing population testing for SARS-CoV-2
C R Foster[SUP] 1 [/SUP], F Campbell[SUP] 2 [/SUP], L Blank[SUP] 2 [/SUP], A J Cantrell[SUP] 2 [/SUP], M Black[SUP] 2 [/SUP], A C K Lee[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Objectives: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - also known as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - pandemic has led to the swift introduction of population testing programmes in many countries across the world, using testing modalities such as drive-through, walk-through, mobile and home visiting programmes. Here, we provide an overview of the literature describing the experience of implementing population testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Study design: Scoping review.
Methods: We conducted a scoping review using Embase, Medline and the Cochrane library in addition to a grey literature search. We identified indicators relevant to process, quality and resource outcomes related to each testing modality.
Results: In total, 2999 titles were identified from the academic literature and the grey literature search, of which 22 were relevant. Most studies were from the USA and the Republic of Korea. Drive-through testing centres were the most common testing modality evaluated and these provided a rapid method of testing whilst minimising resource use.
Conclusions: The evidence base for population testing lacks high quality studies, however, the literature provides evaluations of the advantages and limitations of different testing modalities. There is a need for robust evidence in this area to ensure that testing is deployed in a safe and effective manner in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19; Mass testing; Population testing; SARS-CoV-2.
. 2021 Jun 26;198:22-29.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.06.012. Online ahead of print.
A scoping review of the experience of implementing population testing for SARS-CoV-2
C R Foster[SUP] 1 [/SUP], F Campbell[SUP] 2 [/SUP], L Blank[SUP] 2 [/SUP], A J Cantrell[SUP] 2 [/SUP], M Black[SUP] 2 [/SUP], A C K Lee[SUP] 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34352612
- DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.06.012
Abstract
Objectives: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - also known as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - pandemic has led to the swift introduction of population testing programmes in many countries across the world, using testing modalities such as drive-through, walk-through, mobile and home visiting programmes. Here, we provide an overview of the literature describing the experience of implementing population testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Study design: Scoping review.
Methods: We conducted a scoping review using Embase, Medline and the Cochrane library in addition to a grey literature search. We identified indicators relevant to process, quality and resource outcomes related to each testing modality.
Results: In total, 2999 titles were identified from the academic literature and the grey literature search, of which 22 were relevant. Most studies were from the USA and the Republic of Korea. Drive-through testing centres were the most common testing modality evaluated and these provided a rapid method of testing whilst minimising resource use.
Conclusions: The evidence base for population testing lacks high quality studies, however, the literature provides evaluations of the advantages and limitations of different testing modalities. There is a need for robust evidence in this area to ensure that testing is deployed in a safe and effective manner in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19; Mass testing; Population testing; SARS-CoV-2.