Overview - ISO 5258:2022 (Drive-through screening station)
ISO 5258:2022, "Healthcare organization management - Pandemic response (respiratory) - Drive-through screening station," specifies the operation of a temporary drive-through screening station (DTSS) for mass testing as part of pandemic response management. COVID‑19 is cited as an exemplary disease for which a DTSS is developed. The standard describes purpose, planning, staffing, infection‑control principles and the end‑to‑end screening process (reservation → registration → examination → specimen collection → education → notification).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Purpose and benefits
- Early diagnosis, minimization of contact between testers and test subjects, and time savings (typical sampling time 5–10 minutes; at least six tests per hour achievable).
- Planning and site selection
- Site criteria: separation from residential areas, natural ventilation, accessibility, storage for medical waste, power/water/communications, and immediate availability.
- Flexible station types: multiple lanes, container type or open‑tent depending on local circumstances.
- Site components and logistics
- PPE recommendations (e.g., Level D protection / medical mask, face shield/goggles, disposable gown, gloves) while following national guidance.
- Supplies: refrigerated specimen storage/power, printers for specimen labels, electronic health records (computers/tablets), temperature control for staff comfort, visible public notices and instructional displays.
- Operational principles
- Target individuals driving alone; keep car as protective barrier.
- Staff roles and booth organization: healthcare workers in PPE perform registration, testing and specimen collection with short distance to vehicle; single occupancy in booths with role rotation.
- Screening process and result notification
- Standardized processes for reservation, registration, clinical interview/examination, specimen collection through the car window, patient education, and reporting results to test subjects and public health authorities.
- Examples and implementation
- Annex A provides approaches and international examples (including South Korea).
Applications - practical value
ISO 5258:2022 guides organizations establishing rapid, large‑scale respiratory testing sites to:
- Scale testing capacity during pandemics and outbreaks
- Reduce nosocomial transmission and ED burden
- Provide standardized processes for specimen quality, staff safety and result reporting
Typical implementations include community mass‑testing sites, hospital overflow testing, public health surge response, and temporary testing at large events.
Who should use this standard
- Public health authorities and pandemic planners
- Hospital and healthcare facility managers
- Emergency response coordinators and NGOs
- Laboratory logistics and medical operations teams
Related guidance
- ISO 5258:2022 contains no normative references. Users should also consult national infection‑control guidance and WHO pandemic response recommendations when implementing a DTSS.
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