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COVID-19 Testing Protocol for Patients Undergoing Procedures

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Effective Monday, August 9, we will begin testing patients undergoing procedures. The testing site at Southview Medical Center will open on Monday August 9 and the Kettering Health—Huber site on August 16. The pre-admission testing (PAT) staff has already begun to call patients whose assessments were already completed for procedures as of Monday August 9.

Background

  • All patients will continue to be asked screening questions by Kettering Health staff.
  • PPE will be maintained at all times by staff and patients/visitors.
  • Patients will not proceed to PPO on the day of procedure if they cannot show proof of testing with negative result at registration.

Patients to be tested

  • All procedural patients, with anesthesia staff in attendance, including OR, GI, IR, etc.
  • All Cath Lab patients
  • All patients with operating room procedures regardless of anesthesia type, including locals.
  • Test will be valid for 5 days following the test day.
  • A rapid test can be administered for laboring patients and urgent/emergent patients.
  • Patients who have been vaccinated are not exempt from testing.
  • Tests from a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or other facility will be accepted if there is a documented test date and result from the facility. This information will be due to PAT by 3 p.m. the day prior to the procedure.

Patients not being tested

  • Patients undergoing pain procedures.
  • Patients outside of the operating room, undergoing local anesthesia and/or sedation without anesthesia staff expected to participate in their care.
  • See decision tree below for patients who have tested positive in the past. 

Test to be administered

  • PCR tests will be administered at the KH testing sites.
  • Rapid tests can be administered on a limited basis on day of procedure with CEC approval on recommendation of anesthesia staff.  Rapid tests will be tracked to ensure that they are not being overused as the supply continues to be limited.
  • Patients can go to a non-KH facility for testing at least 72 hours prior to the day of procedure but will be required to submit proof of result to PAT prior to day of procedure or at registration when they arrive on the day of procedure. 
  • At home tests will not be accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What if the patient refuses to be tested?

Patients who refuse to be tested will have their procedures postponed unless urgent or emergent.  The surgeon’s office will be notified in these instances.

  • What if the patient cannot get the test done in a timely manner? 

If the procedure is urgent or emergent, the procedure will proceed, and anesthesia staff will evaluate the need for a rapid test. If possible, postpone the procedure to allow sufficient time for a test to be completed.  

  • What if the patient does not have their test done or cannot provide proof of a negative test at registration? 

They will be assessed on the day of procedure by anesthesia staff and proceduralist and a determination made regarding proceeding.

August 6, 2021
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