Dentists in New York can perform point-of-care (POC) COVID-19 tests, according to an executive order issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo. These tests must be Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived, and the dentist must have received certification and a CLIA waiver from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
Dentists who plan on administering these tests must apply for a CLIA waiver if they do not already have one. They also must ensure that the test used is a POC test and that it is on the approved list for Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization. Also, the results of all COVID-19 POC tests must be reported within three hours to the NYSDOH using the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS).
The order additionally requires dentists to report whether patients who are tested attend or work in a school of any level and, if so, the name and location of that school. For now, that information should be included in the “occupation” field in the form. The NYSDOH is currently working with stakeholders to update forms to capture this information.
Further, dentists must note the patient’s local address and if it is different from his or her permanent address, as well as the patient’s phone number, occupation, employer name, full work address, employer phone number, and race and ethnicity. Dentists who perform POC influenza tests must report those results to the NYSDOH through the ECLRS as well.
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