QCGH residents brave getting swab samples from dead patients

Medical residents at the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH) are tasked with collecting swab samples for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing from patients, both dead and alive.

According to Saleema Refran’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” the residents collect swabs from deceased patients inside a tent that temporarily holds cadavers of those who were declared dead on arrival.

The residents said post-mortem COVID-19 testing is crucial to contact tracing efforts.

“‘Di natin alam sometimes ‘yung cause of death, hindi natin makukuha clearly [kung] nagkaro’n ba sila ng sipon, ubo, mga COVID-related symptoms,” chief QCGH EMT resident Dr. Mary Kathleen Bartolome-Juangco said.

Collecting swab samples from the dead comes with its own share of challenges, the residents said.

“Hirap akong i-swab ‘yung bibig kasi mahirap nang buksan ‘yon ‘pag nakasara ‘yon e pagka namatay na ‘yung pasyente,” ENT resident Dr. Lena Alethea Cruz said.

Out of the 2,490 people swabbed at the QCGH since March, 142 samples were collected post-mortem.

Of this number, 16 tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have an average of siguro mga two or three post-mortem swabs in a day. These past few days actually nag-decrease siya, which is good. We are hoping na in the next few couple of days, weeks, and months mababawasan pa siya lalo,” Juangco said.

The residents said collecting swab samples from deceased pregnant women, newborns, and children is one of the most painful and difficult tasks.

“Nakakalungkot isipin na hindi nila na-experience na magsama. ‘Pag may bata na newborn, hindi man lang niya naranasan mabuhay,” ENT resident Dr. Jeff James Alega said.

“Kawawa ‘tong pasyente, kawawa ‘yung pamilya, hindi man lang nila alam, hindi man lang sila makapagpaalam,” Cruz added.

Despite the challenges, the residents put on brave faces every day to fulfill their duties.

“May takot pero pinagdarasal ko na lang po ‘yung tao na namatay na iniisip ko, ‘Kailangan niya ‘to, kailangan ng pamilya para ‘di sila ma-expose,’” ENT resident Dr. Jausmin Raizel Rosario said. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News