Implementation of an Active Screening Program for SARS-CoV2 – Experience at an Academic Medical Center

Rupa Udani, PhD; Kala F. Schilter, PhD; Ryan E. Hillmer, PhD; Rae Ann Petersen, BA; Shankar Srinivasan, PhD, MBA; Jonathan S. Marchant, MA, PhD; Ann Nattinger, MD, MPH; Honey V. Reddi, PhD

WMJ. 2022;121(3):235-238

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ABSTRACT

Background: This study documents the experience of an academic medical center implementing SARS-CoV2 screening of asymptomatic research personnel to support the “return-to-work” initiative and donor cadavers to support in-person student education.

Methods: Testing was performed on samples received June 1, 2020 (for the cadaver program) and July 20, 2020 (for the personnel screening program) through September 30, 2021. Data were evaluated to document the number of cases and the positivity rate.

Results: Approximately 3000 specimens were tested across both programs, with an overall positivity rate of 2.5% and 3.6% in the personnel and cadaver screening programs, respectively.

Discussion: This screening program serves as an example of institutional investment in the safety of its faculty, staff, and students alike to address specific needs of a global pandemic.

Author Affiliations: Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center, Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Udani, Schilter, Reddi); Dept of Pediatrics, MCW, Milwaukee, Wis (Udani); Dept of Pathology, MCW, Milwaukee, Wis (Udani); Dept of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, MCW, Milwaukee, Wis (Hillmer, Marchant); Adult Translational Research Unit, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, MCW, Milwaukee, Wis (Petersen, Srinivasan); Dept of Surgery, MCW, Milwaukee, Wis (Reddi); Office of Research, MCW, Milwaukee, Wis (Nattinger).
Corresponding Author: Honey V. Reddi, PhD, FACMG, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226; phone 414.955.5765; email hreddi@mcw.edu; ORCID ID 0000-0003-1280-9993
Acknowledgements: The authors acknowledge the support of the Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine Center and staff in the Precision Medicine Laboratory at the Medical College of Wisconsin, wherein SARS-CoV2 testing was conducted.
Funding/Support: To recognize the support the Adult Translational Research Unit receives (ATRU fees are subsidized by the CTSA), the study acknowledges the CTSA grant, which is the work of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number 2UL1TR001436.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.

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