DC Health Publishes Antigen Testing Guidance

Being a physician in the District in the 21st century means being on the front line of the most pressing public health issues in the world. In our small geographic boundaries, physicians help address issue found in every state all in one area. The issues are too lengthy to list on one webpage but physicians are on the front lines of addressing health issues for all District residents.

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DC Health Publishes Antigen Testing Guidance

Sep 18, 2020, 08:29 AM by MSDC Staff

DC Health outlines how antigen testing should be used and considered with patients.

On Thursday, the DC Department of Health (DC Health) published guidance on the use of antigen testing in an outpatient setting.

Despite its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration, some physicians (including MSDC's COVID-19 Task Force) have regarded antigen testing with suspicion due to its notable percentage of false negatives. The guidance, seen here, notes this and says the RT-PCR test remains the "gold standard" for diagnosing COVID-19.

The guidance states antigen tests are most effective early in infection and it should be used within 5-7 days of illness. The guidance also says antigen tests should be used to confirm an exposure not to discontinue isolation. If the antigen test comes up positive, no confirmatory testing is recommended and the patient should be considered positive for COVID-19. However, if the antigen test comes up negative, a RT-PCR test should be ordered to confirm the negative and the person being tested should quarantine as if they person tested positive.

For physicians, the guidance requires the testing site to report positive and negative tests to DC Health.

Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked

Student Access to Treatment Amendment Act (B23-467)

What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.

MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools

Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.

Electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment Registry Amendment Act (B23-261)

What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).

MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.

Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.

Healthy Beverage Choices Amendment Act (B23-495)

What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.

MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.

Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.