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 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 3/1/21

Current Situation

Outcome

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

Impending Shortages

Microbiology Test

Status – On short notice

Plan

Outcome

Respiratory Pathogen Panel 2 (Includes COVID)

On allotment, delays in shipping

Lab will reorder as COVID-19, Influenza A & B, RSV

  • No Adenovirus, Seasonal Coronavirus, Rhino/Enterovirus, Parainfluenza 1-4, Human metapneumovirus, Mycoplasma pneumonia, or Chlamydia pneumonia

COVID-19, Influenza A & B, RSV, PCR

On allotment, delays in shipping

Lab will call and notify ordering provider
  • Respiratory Pathogen Panel 2

Or

  •  COVID-19, PCR

Stool/ Fecal Swab Extended GI PCR Panel

Week to Week

Replace with Stool/ Fecal Swab Basic GI and/or Parasite PCR Panels
  • No Vibrio, Plesiomonas, EPEC, EAEC, ETEC, Yersinia, or Viruses

Lifespan COVID Resources

Other coronavirus resources for Lifespan providers: