Healthcare Provider FAQs
Are these resources only available to UCSD and San Ysidro Health patients?
No, these resources are available to all community members & providers.
Will patient test results be available on EPIC?
If participants choose to send their COVID-19, flu, and RSV test results to their UCSD or SYH healthcare provider, the results will be included in their medical record.
Do you provide treatment?
We provide qPCR test results only for Flu, RSV, and COVID. If a participant tests positive and requires treatment, they will be advised to contact their healthcare provider.
Are study-related costs covered, or will my patient be billed?
Study procedures are fully covered, and participants will not be billed through their insurance.
Does the study provide compensation (e.g., gift cards)?
Yes, certain research activities include compensation for the participants time and participation.
Can I sign up without going to a vending machine?
Yes. You can register through the PREVENT App before visiting a vending machine, but to receive the test kit, you will need to go to a vending machine location.
Sign Up FAQs
Do I need to be sick to join?
No, you do not need to be sick to enroll.
How long does the study last?
Different components require different time commitments.
For the Community Testing component of the study, there are no commitments beyond the initial testing (you can test again whenever you want, but this is not required).
For the Ongoing Testing component, you can participate for up to 5 years; we ask you to plan to participate for at least 2 years, but you can choose to stop at any time.
For the Household Transmission component of the study, participation lasts for about 1 month.
What happens if I move away?
If you relocate outside San Diego County, we may need to discontinue your participation. Please contact us at prevent@health.ucsd.edu, 858-945-4553, or 610-368-8290 to discuss your options.
How will I receive my tests results?
If you test positive for COVID-19, flu, or RSV, we will notify you via the PREVENT app and a nurse from UCSD may call you. If you are a patient with UC San Diego Health or San Ysidro Health and request that we share your results with your doctor, we will also upload your results to your medical record.
Can my family participate?
Yes! We encourage households to join! Family members can sign up at the same time or at different times.
Participant FAQs
Do you provide treatment?
We only provide qPCR (lab-based) test results for Flu, RSV, and COVID. We will provide a test result report that you can share with your doctor.* You should continue to seek medical care and testing for respiratory illnesses and other conditions from your doctor as you normally do if you have concerns.
*If you are a registered as a patient with UC San Diego Health or San Ysidro Health and opt to have your test results shared with your doctor, we will send a copy of your test results to your electronic health record.
Is there compensation for participating?
Yes, certain research activities include compensation for your time and participation.
Are there any risks to participating?
Participation involves minimal risks, such as mild discomfort when swabbing your nose or having your blood drawn.
Will it affect my medical care if I decide not to participate?
No, your decision to participate in the study will not affect your medical care in any form.
How long will I be in the study?
Different components of the study involve different time commitments.
For the Community Testing component of the study, there are no commitments beyond the initial testing (you can test again whenever you want, but this is not required).
For the Ongoing Testing component, you can participate for up to 5 years; we ask you to plan to participate for at least 2 years, but you can choose to stop at any time.
For the Household Transmission component of the study, participation lasts for about 1 month.
Who can I contact if I have questions about my rights?
You can contact the study team at prevent@health.ucsd.edu or call/text 858-945-4553. If you have questions about your rights as a research participant or would like to talk to someone outside of the study team about your participation, you may contact UCSD’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) at irb@ucsd.edu or call 858-246-4777.
Data & Privacy FAQs
How will my data be protected?
To protect your data, we will use a study-assigned number instead of your name on study forms and samples whenever possible. Only people who need to review your data or samples will have access to them. We will use a secure database (REDCap) to collect and store your data. Your samples and the data about you will be protected by a federal Certificate of Confidentiality.
How will my data and samples be shared now and in the future?
The nose swabs and information we collect in this study may be used to answer other research questions or shared with other researchers. These studies could be about similar infections, other diseases, or different types of research.
We may share your samples and some of your information, like your birthdate, study dates, and general location (like your ZIP code or neighborhood) with the CDC and other researchers in the CHARM Network. But we will not share your name, home address, or phone number.