Ensure your employees are safe at work with COVID-19 Asymptomatic PCR testing

WHAT IS A PCR TEST?

Unlike an antibody test, which uses a sample of blood to see if one was previously in contact with COVID-19, a PCR test is a molecular test that uses a nasal swab to determine if they are currently infected.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THE TEST?

Individuals who, in the last 14 days, have had no COVID-19 symptoms, zero close contact with someone who has, and haven’t travelled outside of the country.

WHERE DOES TESTING TAKE PLACE?

PCR testing is available at Medcan or in your workplace in multiple city centres across Canada, including Toronto, Calgary, Halifax, Saint John and Moncton.**

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED UPON BOOKING?

All Medcan requires to book COVID-19 Asymptomatic PCR testing in your workplace is the anticipated number of participants, testing date(s) and location(s). A minimum of 30 tests must be booked in order to be eligible for the Corporate rate, and a minimum of six tests must be booked per workplace visit. Please note that we require one week’s notice to book workplace PCR tests.

WHO PROVIDES THE TESTING MATERIALS?

Medcan and Switch Health will provide all necessary materials for workplace testing. Your organization will only be required to provide a room for testing that’s large enough to allow proper physical distancing. Medcan will also provide any resources your company may need for PCR testing education and/or internal communications, including necessary consent forms.

HOW IS THE TEST PERFORMED?

• Wearing a face mask that covers both their nose and mouth, participants will be asked to enter the designated testing room and sanitize their hands.
• If they haven’t already, participants will be asked to register their Switch Health Patient Portal account prior to the PCR test. It’s here that they will be able to access their next-day* test results.
• A Switch Health nurse will ask them to identify themselves and will confirm their name, date of birth, etc. They will also be asked additional health screening questions about their history, confirmed case contacts, symptoms and health status.
• Before getting started, the nurse will explain the collection procedure and answer any questions.
• Right before their test, participants will be asked to lower their face mask to expose their nose.
• The nurse will insert the swab into the nostril until it reaches the required depth. It will be rotated to ensure adequate sample coverage and repeated in both nostrils.
• Once complete, participants will be asked to raise their face mask to cover their nose and mouth once again.

WHEN ARE RESULTS AVAILABLE?

A trusted laboratory partner will run the swab on a standard PCR testing machine that’s approved by Health Canada, then upload next-day results* to the Switch Health Patient Portal

As soon as their next-day results* are available, participants be notified by Switch Health via text message. If their test results are positive, they will receive a phone call from a Switch Health physician who will notify their local Public Health Unit on their behalf. As their employer, you will also be notified and sent an aggregate summary of results.