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Nov. 16, 2020 PHO Order: Midwives authorized to perform COVID-19 swabs within approved screening programs


Nov 18, 2020

The Provincial Health Officer has temporarily authorized midwives to perform nasopharyngeal swabs to screen for SARS-CoV-2, for any person, within approved COVID-19 screening programs (e.g. COVID-19 test collection sites). As per the order, midwives will need their competence to perform nasopharyngeal swabs assessed by their employer or the Medical Health Officer. This change is effective immediately and will remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency in British Columbia.

Midwives who are not part of such a screening program continue to be authorized to perform nasopharyngeal swabs only for individuals/clients who are pregnant or postpartum: no competency assessment is required. Please contact the BCCDC to order the swabs and for specific guidance on swabbing technique and PPE requirements.

In all cases, midwives must perform this screening activity in accordance with the guidelines issued by the BC Centre for Disease Control.

Questions?

 

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Vancouver, BC  V6C 1S4
Canada

info@bccnm​.ca
604.742.6200​
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We acknowledge the rights and title of the First Nations on whose collective unceded territories encompass the land base colonially known as British Columbia. We give specific thanks to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim speaking Peoples the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), on whose unceded territories BCCNM’s office is located. We also give thanks for the medicines of these territories and recognize that laws, governance, and health systems tied to these lands and waters have existed here for over 9000 years.

We also acknowledge the unique and distinct rights, including rights to health and wellness, of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from elsewhere in Canada who now live in British Columbia. As leaders in the settler health system, we acknowledge our responsibilities to these rights under international, national, and provincial law.​