FV Hospital has been at the forefront in the fight against the global Covid-19 pandemic since the early stages in 2020. Fighting hand-in-hand with local and national authorities and the community at large to keep communities safe whilst continuing to provide world-class healthcare for all patients in need.

FVH was the first private hospital in Vietnam approved by the Ministry of Heath to perform Covid-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) confirmatory testing, commencing the service in April 2020.

Due to the pandemic’s changing nature, improved scientific knowledge and guidance and also availability of more internationally-approved diagnostic tools, FVH is now expanding its diagnostic services for Covid-19.

To assist clinicians, patients and families, businesses and individual clients with selecting the best solution for their Covid-19 diagnostic needs, please see our recommendations below that are based on current knowledge and published best practice guidelines for each test method offered at FVH.

COVID-19 PCR

This is a confirmatory and conclusive test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

What is the test about?

• We use a technique called RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) to run the test.
• RT-PCR technique has an accuracy rate of 99%.
• This test meets criteria required by airlines, international consulates and immigration authorities for a Certified SARS-CoV-2 Negative

Who is this test for?

• Individuals with symptoms of Covid-19 infection.
• Individuals who may have been in contact with a person(s) with confirmed Covid-19 infection.
• Individuals without symptoms, but would like a conclusive test to rule-out Covid-19 infection.
• Individuals in need of Certified SARS-CoV-2 Negative test certificate that meets relevant authority requirements e.g. airlines, international consulates and immigration authorities.

What type of sample is required?

• Nasopharyngeal swab
• Other alternative samples that can be used are sputum, throat swab or bronchoalveolar lavage

How long does it take to receive test results?

• 8 hours from time of collection.
• Results for collections outside normal hours including weekends/ Public Holidays may be slightly longer.

COVID-19 SYNDROMIC TEST PCR (SARS-CoV-2 plus 21 other pathogens)

What is the test about?

• We use the latest world-class technology in RT-PCR to simultaneously test for 22 pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 virus, plus 18 other viruses and 3 bacteria.
• RT-PCR technique has an accuracy rate of 99%.

Who is this test ideal for?

• Patients showing clinical signs and symptoms of acute respiratory infections including SARS-CoV-2 suspected cases.
• Patients from high-risk/ highly-endemic Covid-19 infection locations AND are seeking urgent medical intervention at FVH.
• Paediatric patients with clinical symptoms of acute respiratory infection. Predominant pathogens in this patient group e.g. human rhinovirus/enterovirus, adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus, can be detected using this test.

What type of sample is required?

• Nasopharyngeal swab

How long does it take to receive test results?

• Within 2 hours from time of collection (including outside normal working hours, weekends and Public Holidays)

FAST-TRACK COVID-19 PCR

This is a confirmatory and conclusive test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus using the latest world-class PCR technology with test results available in less than 2 hours.

What is the test about?

• We use the latest world-class technology in RT-PCR to run the test
• RT-PCR technique has an accuracy rate of 99%
• This test meets the criteria required by airlines, international consulates and immigration authorities for a Certified SARS-CoV-2 Negative certificate

Who is this test ideal for?

• Individuals in urgent need (within 2 hours) of a Certified SARS-CoV-2 Negative test certificate that meets relevant authority requirements e.g. for airlines or immigration/ travelling purposes.

What type of sample is required?

• Nasopharyngeal swab

How long does it take to receive test results?

• Within 2 hours from time of collection (including outside normal working hours, weekends and Public Holidays)

RAPID COVID-19 ANTIGEN TEST

At FV Hospital location, this is ONLY performed on asymptomatic patients prior to hospitalisation as a mandatory requirement from Vietnamese authorities. It is not performed on visitors. Symptomatic patients and visitors must have a PCR test

It is also alternatively available for surveillance screening on large groups of people in an asymptomatic setting e.g. businesses or corporate clients who would like onsite surveillance screening.

What is the test about?

• The specificity of this test is 99,8% so if positive it means that the patient is infected and must be immediately isolated. A PCR will be done to confirm the diagnosis and estimate the viral load using the Cycle threshold (Ct)
• The rapid antigen test sensitivity is dependent on presence or absence of documented Covid-19 symptoms and also on time of testing after symptom onset: 84% for symptomatic individuals tested within the first seven days of illness, 62% after seven days or more of symptoms and 49% for those without symptoms.
• Rapid Covid-19 is done, as a point-of-care test, with a nasopharyngeal swab to detect a protein that is part of the coronavirus.
• Negative results must be interpreted with caution, in combination with clinical observations, patient history, and epidemiological information.
• RT-PCR testing remains the diagnostic method of choice for Covid-19 and cannot be replaced by the rapid antigen test.

Who is this test ideal for?

• Asymptomatic patients before admission into FV Hospital (mandatory)
• Corporate clients and businesses requesting bulk-surveillance screening at their business-location in an asymptomatic/ low-risk setting.
• This test is not available for general individual screening. All such requests must use the RT-PCR test options.
• Rapid antigen test does not meet criteria for airlines, international consulates and immigration authorities for a Certified SARS-CoV-2 Negative certificate.

What type of sample is required?

• Nasopharyngeal swab

How long does it take to receive test results?

• The test is performed at point-of-care (on-site) and results are available after 15 minutes.

COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST (SARS-CoV-2 Serology)

The serology test can be used to identify individuals with a resolving or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. It cannot be used to establish presence or absence of a Covid-19 infection. This serology test is also currently not recommended to assess the need for a vaccine in an unvaccinated individual nor to assess the immune status of a vaccinated individual.

What is the test about?

• Covid-19 antibody test is a qualitative test detecting the presence or absence of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in blood. It will not indicate the quantity of antibodies in your blood.
• Presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies indicates a recent or past Covid-19 infection, however results must be interpreted in conjunction with clinical presentation and if available, RT-PCR results for the virus.
• Absence of antibodies does not rule out a previous infection.

Who is this test ideal for?

• This test is available to any individual. It is not required for paediatric patients or immunosuppressed individuals.

What type of sample is required?

• Venous blood

How long does it take to receive test results?

• Within 2 hours from time of collection (including outside normal working hours, weekends and Public Holidays)

For more information, please contact:

FV HOSPITAL: (028) 54 11 33 33

FV ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY: (028) 54 11 35 00