Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Instructions for Lifespan Hospital Providers Ordering COVID-19 Testing

COVID Testing Algorithms

Patient Groups Included in Testing

Choose a inventory status below to see a list of patient groups to receive a rapid assay COVID test. Please refer to the COVID home page on the Lifespan Intranet to see the current testing inventory status. Status is posted at the top right of the page daily. (Lifespan network log-in required.)

    Conservation Status Testing

    Only certain groups of patients are eligible for a rapid COVID test, which should be ordered in LifeChart as Respiratory Pathogen Panel 2 or COVID-19, Influenza A/B and RSV PCR. All other requests will be ordered as COVID-19, PCR or COVID-19, Influenza A/B, & RSV PCR or COVID-19, Influenza A/B PCR and will go to Coro for non-stat testing.

    The patient groups are:

    • Symptomatic admits from the ED, Cancer Center, or direct admits
    • Symptomatic inpatient testing—initial test only 
    • All behavioral health admits, both symptomatic and asymptomatic
    • Patients in the ED from home who require discharge from the ED to a SNF 
    • Untested admissions to labor and delivery
    • Emergency kidney transplant
    Expanded Rapid Testing

    All groups included in conservation status (see above) will receive a rapid assay test, plus the following additional groups:

    • Unable to assess
    • Emergent surgery
    • Same day surgery/procedure
    • PAT next day surgery
    • ED discharges to hospice
    • ED discharges of homeless
    Additional Testing Shortages and Status

    Table with Ongoing and Impending Shortages

     

    Current Shortages

    Microbiology Test

    Current Status 12/8/20

    Current Situation

    Outcome

    Respiratory Pathogen Panel 2 (Includes COVID)

    On allotment, limited tests

     

    Conservation Mode, review current testing algorithms
    • Reduced availability of rapid COVID-19 tests

     

    COVID-19, PCR

    On allotment, limited tests

    Conservation Mode
    • Reduced availability of COVID-19 tests

    COVID-19, Influenza A&B, PCR

    On allotment, limited tests

    Conservation Mode
    • Reduced availability of COVID-19 tests

    Stool/ Fecal Swab Extended GI PCR Panel

    Temporarily unavailable

    Replace with culture for Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter

    Additional collection vial if parasites needed
    • No Shiga toxin, Vibrio, Plesiomonas, EPEC, EAEC, ETEC, Yersinia, Viruses or Parasites
    • Delay in TAT by 24-72 hrs

    Impending Shortages

    Microbiology Test

    Status – On short notice

    Plan
    • Outcome

    Stool/ Fecal Swab Basic GI PCR Panel

    Week to week

    Replaced with culture for Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter
    • No Shiga toxin available
    • Delay in TAT by 24-72 hrs

    Lifespan COVID Resources

    Other coronavirus resources for Lifespan providers: