Consent Form (SARS Laboratory Testing Public Health Response): Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health laboratories are using an investigational laboratory test to test for the virus that causes "severe acute respiratory syndrome" or (SARS). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not licensed this test. The FDA has agreed that we can use this test under an investigational device exemption (IDE). We don't know for sure if this test can find all people who may get sick with SARS. There are no FDA approved tests that quickly find the virus.
Your State or Local Health Department and CDC are using the results of this test as one piece of information to help us find out if people are sick with SARS and to limit the spread of this illness. Your (or your child's) doctor will use other information along with this test result to decide what is best for you (your child).
Because SARS can be a serious illness, your State or Local Health Dept and/or CDC have used this test on samples from you (your child).
SARS is a respiratory illness that can start as fever and cough. It may go on to pneumonia in some people. SARS seems to be spread by close person to person contact. This can occur when a person who is sick with SARS coughs or sneezes onto themselves, other people, or nearby surfaces. Droplets from the cough or sneeze can travel a short distance through the air and land on the mouth, nose, or eyes of persons who are nearby. The virus also can spread when a person touches a surface or object with infectious droplets and then touches his or her mouth, nose, or eye(s). It also is possible that SARS can be spread through the air or by other ways that we don't yet know about..
Why Should My (My Child's) Sample Be Tested?
You (or your child) may be asked to have SARS testing done when there are no reported cases of SARS in the world or when and if SARS returns. It is important to test for SARS when there are no reported SARS cases so that public health efforts could quickly identify a case and limit its spread. The results of this test, along with other information, may also help your (your child's) doctor take better care of you (your child). You (or your child) may be asked to be tested for the SARS virus because:
- You (or your child) are being hospitalized for symptoms like pneumonia and within 10 days of the start of symptoms you (or your child):
- Have traveled to an area that had reported SARS cases in the past, or
- Had close contact with an ill person who just came back from these areas, or
- Had close contact with person(s) who have pneumonia like symptoms and have not been diagnosed, or
- Are employed in a job that may put you at risk for SARS, such as a healthcare worker with direct patient contact or a worker in a laboratory that has live SARS virus.
- There are reported cases of SARS in the world and you (or your child) have symptoms which may be early symptoms of SARS, such as fever or lower respiratory symptoms or other symptoms your doctor feels might be SARS and :
- Recent close contact with persons thought to have SARS, or
- Recent exposure to areas (in the U.S. or outside the U.S. ) with confirmed or suspected SARS (or close contact with ill persons with a history of these exposures)
The samples used to do this laboratory test may have come from extra nasal swab or aspirate, throat swab samples, blood, serum, plasma, or stool taken from you (or your child) to do this test. These samples may have been taken as part of your routine care to find out what illness you (or your child) have. Your (your child's) doctor may also ask to take more samples in the future.)
What about privacy?
We will keep all facts about you (your child) as private as the law allows. CDC, FDA, the Local/State Health Department staff and the person(s) who ordered your test (such as your Doctor) may see your/your child's results. When we present or publish papers about these tests, neither you (nor your child) will be named.
What are the costs?
The test will be done by CDC or your health department at no cost. You, your insurer, Medicare or Medicaid will need to pay for other costs related to the testing, such as Doctor's visits.
What happens if you (your child) are harmed?
If you (your child) are harmed as a result of taking the samples, CDC will not pay the costs for hospital and medical care. You, your insurer, Medicare or Medicaid will need to pay those costs. Y ou (or your child) do not give up any legal rights that otherwise would be available to you (or your child).
If this test is positive, does that mean I (my child) have SARS?There is a small chance that this test may give a positive result for the SARS virus when the virus is not there (false positive). If your (your child’s) result from this test is positive:
- You (your child) could be asked to limit contact outside the home by not going to work, school, out-of-home childcare, church, or other public areas. You may also be asked to use a mask at home to limit the risk of spread of the virus. If you (your child) have had symptoms of SARS, you might be asked to follow these limits because of these symptoms and not because of the test results. If your (your child’s) tests are positive, there is a small chance that you (your child) may be asked to follow these limits even if you (your child) do not seem sick.
- There is no proven treatment for SARS at this time. If you (your child) your child is very ill, in rare cases, you (your child) may be advised to take an antiviral drug. If this happens, your (your child’s) doctor will discuss the risks and benefits and obtain your consent.
- Your (or your child’s) doctor may decide how to care for you based on the test results along with other factors.
If this test is negative, does that mean I (my child) do not have SARS?
This test may give a negative result when you (or your child) do have the virus (false negative). A false negative result should not effect your (or your child's) care. CDC has told doctors that a negative test alone does not prove that a person does or does not have the SARS virus. No changes in your medical care or how you interact with other people should be based on a negative result.
Whom to call if you have questions
Please call your doctor if you have any questions about this testing. If you have questions about your (or your child's) rights as a participant in this testing program, please call the CDC Associate Director for Science at 1-800-584-8814. Leave a message with your (or your child's) name, phone number and that the protocol # is 3911. Someone will call you back as soon as possible.
Consent for sample storage
We are asking for your consent to store any remainders of your (your child's) samples used for SARS virus testing at CDC for future SARS-related investigations. If the results of any future tests are important for your medical care we will make every effort to notify your doctor.
We will not do human genetic testing or HIV testing unless we contact you and ask for your consent. If you agree to storage and change your mind later please call Dr. Dean Erdman at 404-639-3727.
_______ Yes, I agree to long-term storage of my (my child’s) samples for future testing
_______ No, I do not agree to long-term storage of my (my child's) samples for future testing
I have been provided with the above information about my (my child’s) test results.
I have stated whether or not I agree to long-term specimen storage.
I have read the above and have had my questions answered by ______________.
Print Patient's Name: __________________________
Patient's/Parent's Signature: __________________________
Legally Authorized Representative Signature: __________________________ Date:______________
Witness to signature: (required by FDA) __________________________ Date:______________
Note: Please return or fax a signed copy of this form to CDC and the state or local health department.
Dr. Dean Erdman
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta , GA 30333
- Page last reviewed: May 3, 2005
- Page last updated: May 3, 2005
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