Eight NHS Wales Staff were given the wrong results after being tested for Coronavirus.
The staff were part of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, where Wales currently has the highest number of confirmed Coronavirus cases. According to Public Health Wales, “the error was identified within a few hours” and “no harm” came to the individuals involved. It is unknown how many of those involved had actually tested positive for the virus.
A spokesperson for Public Health Wales said;
“As part of our checking process, we identified a local transcribing issue with eight test results that led to us giving staff members wrong results.
Staff were contacted immediately and the health board has undertaken a detailed review of all staff tests and taken action to remove any further risk of transcribing errors.
Following established protocols the incident was reported to the Chief Medical Officer.
We are continually reviewing our systems and processes to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. We continue to have complete confidence in the testing process, and the laboratory staff carrying out the testing procedures.”
The samples were retested so the results could be given to the right people, according to the health body.
Approximately 1,600 healthcare staff have been tested for the virus in Wales since March 14. In total, Public Health Wales says it has conducted more than 15,000 tests for the Coronavirus on more than 13,000 individuals.
NHS Wales has been rapidly increasing capacity in anticipation of an increased number of Coronavirus cases. According to figures published on Tuesday, there have so far been 3,790 confirmed cases of the virus in Wales. Sadly, 212 people have died after contracting the virus, according to Public Health Wales. A number of field hospitals have been planned across Wales, while sites including Cardiff City Stadium’s car park are being turned into testing centres.
The Welsh government has a target of completing 9,000 Coronavirus tests a day by the end of April.
