Here is a guide of standard operating procedure framework for companies and organisations in deploying lateral flow tests.

his piece is taken from the UK Gov website on guidance to use lateral flow tests. Published in July 2022.

Flinical guidance for workplaces and eligible high-risk settings using lateral flow tests to identify positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).

What is a high-risk settings include:

night shelters hotels, hostels, and other temporary accommodation outreach services including day centres domestic abuse refuges respite rooms You must read and agree to this guidance to qualify for free testing.

Why testing and lateral flow tests are important

Lateral flow tests are a fast, effecdtive and simple way to find people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19, so they can adopt safe behaviours to prevent onward transmission and identify any outbreaks to reduce their duration and impact.

Testing: Why we test

1 - identifies individuals who currently have COVID-19

2 - protects unvaccinated and vulnerable people from infection

3 - prevents and controls the spread of Covid 19 virus by identifying asymptomatic cases

Using rapid lateral flow tests

fast acting lateral flow tests use either nose or throat and nose swabbing to help identify positive cases of COVID-19.

They deliver accurate results within 30 minutes, though slight variations from each manufacturer.

Ordering lateral flow test kits You can order COVID-19 tests for your organisation on GOV.UK.

You will be required to enter your Unique Organisation Number (UON) which is 8 digits long.

How to store the lateral flow tests:

lateral flow tests can be stored at room temperature:

store extraction solution at 2°C to 30°C

store the test cartridge at 2°C to 30°C

When taking part in workplace testing, your organisation is expected to:

• set up and market your test site to participants
• staff your site according to the requirements of your testing option
• provide PPE and waste disposal facilities to your site operatives
• register test sites and make sure results are reported
• keep a test kit log
• report or encourage reporting of incidents relating to testing or test - kits to UKHSA via 119
• assist UKHSA with investigations into testing related incidents if required

There are two options available in the deployment of tests.

Option 1: Workplace Collect

A collection point at your workplace needs to be established. Employees can collect rapid lateral flow tests to do at home and self-report their results.

• You need at least one Collection Point Assistant to run your workplace collection point. More roles may be required, such as a Queue Coordinator, depending on how you run Workplace Collect.

All staff will also need to complete online training modules.

• note: A quality lead should be in place to make sure all training is done, and regular competency assessments are carried out.

Workplace Collect set-up

The size of the collection point will vary depending on the space available and the testing needs of your workplace.

Additional requirements may help you decide on a location for your collection point.

These includes but not exclusive to:

• space for social distancing

• easy to clean floors and surfaces

• storage for your rapid lateral flow tests

• making it accessible to all participants

• complying with health, safety and fire regulations The following safety steps should also be followed:

• Signage to help with social distancing and queue flow.

• Hand sanitiser stations on arrival.

• A location away from your main area of business.

• Access only for operatives and participants.

• Good airflow and ventilation.

• Storage temperature of tests based on manufacturers’ requirements.

Workplace Collect testing and reporting results The volunteers will then need to complete the following steps:

1. Read the manufacturers ‘information for user’ guidance.

2. Self swab to obtain a sample.

3. Analyse the sample and interpret the results.

4. Record the result online.

Option 2: Asymptomatic Test Sites (ATS)

A test site at your workplace.

Employees volunteer for regular on-site testing using rapid lateral flow tests in a controlled environment. This option requires space to set up a site and staff to help run it. While dedicated and consistent service will mean full time staff on the station.

There is a requirement to have at least 3 full time operatives running an ATS site.

All staff will also need to complete online training modules. A quality lead should be in place to make sure all training is done, and regular competency assessments are carried out.

See here for suggested roles

The ATS set-up

The ATS test sites are designed to be modular and scalable. With different sized workplaces.

You must follow legal, safety and operational requirements for setting up an ATS.

These include but not exclusive to;

• making your ATS accessible to all participants and users
• suitable and sufficent lighting
• a legal agreement to allow testing if you do not own your testing space
• internet connection for reporting results
• health and safety and security sign off
• a one way system to manage the flow of participants
• easy to clean floors and surfaces
• good airflow and ventilation
• space away from your normal day to day workplace
• How you set up and configure your ATS lateral flow site will depend on the size and number of people that are being tested.

The below is a guide on the key principles;

1. Arrival area: the welcoming area and users given test registration cards.

2. Testing area: for participants to swab themselves following to give their samples to a Testing staff member.

3. Processing area: where Testing staff members process samples and record results.

4. Exit area: for users to leave your test site.

ATS testing and reporting results

Helpers and volunteers for testing will be given a barcode with their rapid lateral flow test.

hey will then need to register their test on the GOV.UK register a test service. Before or after they take their swab. This will link their personal details with their test record so they can receive results.

After swabbing, workforce staff will need to complete the following steps:

1. Samples will be analysed on site by the Processing Operative.

2. Results will be recorded by the Results Recorder.

3. These will then upload to the log site COVID-19 results service.

The individual will then receive their results directly.

High-risk settings

When taking part in testing, the organisation is expected to:

• manage the space and avoid spread of COVID-19 infection
• encourage results reporting
• keep a test kit log
• report or encourage reporting of incidents relating to testing or test kits to UKHSA via 119
• assist UKHSA with investigations into testing related incidents if required
• Testing options
• Testing model: self-collect

• Your organisation sets up a collection point at your workplace.

• Employees, volunteers, and service users can collect rapid lateral flow tests to self-test and self-report their results.

Collection of test kits

Staff can distribute tests to individuals collecting them at the setting. Individuals can collect lateral flow tests to self-test.

Set-up The layout of the setting and how it is organised will determine how to manage and avoid the spread of COVID-19.

These include:

• whether individuals share living spaces
• space for social distancing
• easy to clean floors and surfaces
• storage for your rapid lateral flow tests
• making it accessible to all participants
• complying with health, safety and fire regulations

Reporting results Participants will be given rapid lateral flow tests.

They will then need to complete the following steps:

1.Read the lateral flow test manufacturers ‘information for user’ guidance

• Self-swab to obtain a sample
• Analyse the sample and interpret the results themselves.
• Record the result online
• You can find further guidance and testing information on how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 on GOV.UK.

Next steps Individuals should continue to follow national guidance on living with COVID-19 where possible.

Settings should continue to follow sector specific guidance on managing COVID-19.