Your COVID-19 Questions & Answers
With the start of universal testing for inpatients on Monday (guideline above), some clarifying questions have arisen...
Responses from Tom Belhorn
Q:
How fast will test results come back for asymptomatic patients being admitted? Will this affect PPE?
A:
All patients who do not have symptoms concerning for COVID will get the batched test (NOT the rapid test), but the turnaround time is still <24 hours. Universal precautions are appropriate for all of these patients.
Q:
What happens if my patient has frequent admissions and has had previous negative tests?
A:
If the last (negative) COVID test was >7 days prior to admission, they should still get a test on admission (every time, if test >7 days ago).
Q:
If the patient has a prolonged hospital stay (say one month), do you ever do retesting if the original test was negative?
A:
Unless the patient develops new symptoms concerning for COVID, there is no need for retesting during the prolonged hospitalization. This includes prior to any procedures (no new test required). [Note this is different than the pre-procedure testing protocol for outpatients where they can be exposed more easily to COVID!]
Q:
What do you mean by “symptomatic” when making decisions would they need another test on an inpatient?
A:
These are the same COVID symptom list used during the admission process; refer to our COVID Resources on the Intranet, Clinical Resources section, Testing Criteria (#2 is for pediatrics).
Q:
If my patient had a prior positive test, do they need to retest at admission or during the hospital stay?
A:
No. And as a reminder, at 21 days after any positive COVID PCR test, COVID precautions are automatically discontinued and no further PCR testing will be performed.
