MRC Epidemiology UnitBackground
The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was an unprecedented global public health emergency. There was an urgent need for more and better data to help us understand how to control the pandemic, and support public health and healthcare decision making over the coming months.
The proportion of the population who have had COVID-19 and who therefore may be immune to re-infection was unknown. Understanding more about this was important to help in managing the pandemic. Therefore, we alaunched a large-scale surveillance study in the Fenland cohort to determine the prevalence of previous infection with COVID-19, with repeated measures over a 6-month period to identify changes in infection during the study period.
For this large-scale study it was important that we obtain adequate blood samples from participants using the dried blood spot (DBS) method that could be standardised as far as possible to undertake the COVID-19 serological testing repeatedly.
Social distancing measures and new ways of working mean that new methods of blood sample collection are urgently needed for studies. Previously, we would have asked participants to attend a clinical visit at one of the Unit field sites, but in the COVID-19 pandemic this was not feasible.
We therefore conducted a study which involved using a self-applied blood collection using a device called OneDraw (manufactured by Drawbridge Health, www.drawbridgehealth.com). This device enables remote blood sample collection from participants in a standardised manner that is minimally invasive, requires minimal blood volume, and is potentially less painful.
In this OneDraw Feasibility Study, we wanted to know the following:
- If the OneDraw device can be used by people at home to obtain a standardised and adequate sample from the upper arm with assistance from another adult in the household, or from the thigh if the device is self-administered.
- If the supporting document(s) provided to guide users are suitable for use.
- If the samples obtained stay stable and adequate for analysis when being returned in the post.
- Whether the samples obtained at home from this device provide the same antibody test result when compared to a venous blood sample, a finger prick dried blood spot sample and a sample collected using the OneDraw device by a health care practitioner.
Information for participants
If you have received an invitation to this study please read the Participant Information Sheet and sample consent form below.
Information for researchers
Publications
OneDraw Feasibility study publications on the MRC Epidemiology Unit publications database.
Contact
Contact the study team via feasibilitystudy@mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk