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

Instructions for Lifespan Hospital Providers Ordering COVID-19 Testing

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: