Self-Administered COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test For Patients Coming For Procedures

Patients coming to NCCS for the following procedures must do a self-administered COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) on the day of their appointment, take a photo of their negative ART result with their NRIC and test date, and show this to staff before the procedure. This is part of NCCS’ ongoing efforts to protect patients undergoing treatment, who are vulnerable to the risk of infection.

Frequently Asked Questions         

1. I have an appointment at NCCS Specialist Outpatient Clinic today. Do I have to do a self-administered ART?
   
   No. Patients going for consultation appointments at NCCS are not required to do the ART.
   
   Only patients coming to NCCS for surgery, endoscopy, or hookwire procedures will need to do the self-administered ART on the day of their appointment.
   
   
2. Why do some NCCS patients need to undergo COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) on the day of their appointment?
   
   There is a need to detect any COVID-19 positive cases for treatment and to protect other patients from the risk of infection.
   
   Patients coming to NCCS for surgery, endoscopy, or hookwire procedures will need to do a self-administered ART on the day of their appointment and show photo proof of a negative ART result before the procedure.
   
   Steps for performing the self-administered ART before entering NCCS
   
   1. Perform the self-administered ART at home, on the day of scheduled appointment at NCCS. For a step-by-step guide on self-administered ART, please click here
   2. Take a photo using your mobile phone of the negative ART result next to your NRIC and indicating the test date (see photo below)
   
   3. Show the photo of the negative ART result to staff before the scheduled procedure
    
   Note: Patients who don’t have ART test kits at home or who forget to do the required ART, can purchase an ART kit from the on-site vending machine located outside NCCS, and do the self-administered test according to steps above, before entering NCCS.
   
   
3. I have been fully vaccinated. Do I need to perform the self-administered ART before I enter NCCS?
   
   Yes, if you are coming to NCCS for surgery, endoscopy, or hookwire procedures, you must perform self-administered ART testing on the day of your appointment. 
   
   
4. What happens if I forgot to do the self-administered ART before coming to NCCS on the day of my procedure?
   
   If you are coming for surgery, endoscopy, or hookwire procedures and forgot to do the self-administered ART test on the day of your appointment, you can purchase an ART kit from the on-site vending machine located outside NCCS, and do the self-administered test before entering NCCS.
   
   
5. I have chemotherapy at NCCS every day this week, must I do a self-administered ART every day?
   
   No, if you are coming to NCCS for chemotherapy you are not required to perform self-administered ART testing on the day of your scheduled treatment/procedure. 
   
   
6.  If I test positive for COVID-19, will my cancer procedure be delayed/affected?
   
   If you get a positive ART result after doing your self-administered ART, do not come to NCCS for your appointment. Please call NCCS Call Centre at 6436 8088 to reschedule your appointment/procedure.