The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following announcement today (July 27) on the arrangement of distributing deep throat saliva specimen collection packs in Lam Tin General Out-patient Clinic (GOPC):

     The HA commenced a pilot arrangement to assist the Centre for Health Protection to distribute deep throat saliva specimen collection packs in 22 GOPCs today. Having reviewed the first day operation, the HA found that the barcodes affixed on the specimen bottles and on the personal information form in the specimen collection packs distributed in Lam Tin GOPC this morning may be unmatched.

     The HA spokesperson reminded members of the public who obtained specimen collection packs from Lam Tin GOPC today to carefully verify the barcodes affixed on the specimen bottle and on the personal information form before collecting deep throat saliva specimen. It is advised to stop collecting deep throat saliva specimen and return the specimen collection pack to the Lam Tin GOPC, if the barcode is unmatched. Clinic staff will make necessary arrangement and queue up for obtaining specimen collection pack is not required. In addition, the spokesperson also reminded members of the public who obtained specimen collection packs from Lam Tin GOPC today to return the specimen bottles to the clinic so as to verify and ascertain the accuracy of test results.

     The spokesperson added, "Each specimen bottle and personal information form in the specimen collection pack are affixed with a unique and matched barcode, which ensures the specimen and the identity are matched. Regardless the distribution points of the specimen collection packs are obtained, members of the public are reminded to verify the barcodes carefully, to follow the instruction when collecting deep throat saliva specimen and to return on time. Members of the public should avoid mixing up the specimen with others including family members, which may affect the test results."

     The HA has requested GOPC staff to remind the public to verify the barcode carefully again during collecting specimen bottles.
 

Ends/Monday, July 27, 2020
Issued at HKT 22:55

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