Laboratory management for large-scale population screening for SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the improvements in laboratory testing procedures and the quality and safety management for large-scale population screening for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: Because of epidemic prevention and control needs in Hebei Province, on January 7, 2021, the Health Commission of Zhejiang Province sent a medical team to Hebei Province, to carry out SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing. Screening for the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test was performed using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Practical tests and repeated process optimization were adopted to explore the optimal solution for improving laboratory testing procedures and the quality of and safety management for large-scale population screening for SARS-CoV-2. Results: The Zhejiang medical team completed 250,000 pooled SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid samples in 24 days in Shijiazhuang, with a peak daily testing capacity of 40,246 samples testing. There were no false-negative or false-positive results, and no laboratory personnel was infected with SARS-CoV-2. Significant achievements have been made in SARS-CoV-2 prevention and control. Conclusions: This report summarizes the effort of the medical team regarding their management of the quality and safety of laboratory tests and proposes corresponding empirical recommendations to provide a reference for future large-scale population screening SARS-CoV-2.