Provider Guidance for COVID-19 Testing and Isolation: Acute Care updated 3/16/20
Presentation | Expected Disposition (per provider) | PPE and Room Recommendation | COVID-19 Testing*
ALL decisions to test must be communicated to COVID-19 hotline at 716-923-0670 for tracking purposes *testing not advised if another diagnosis is confirmed (e.g. influenza) |
No respiratory Symptoms2 | Home OR Admit | Standard room | None |
Stable; +Respiratory Symptoms2 & No COVID-19 exposure Hx | Home | Patient: Procedure mask
Providers: Contact/eye protection/procedure mask
Single Room, door closed |
Clinician discretion, rule out other issues, provide self-isolation instructions and outpatient COVID-19 testing information if no other cause of symptoms identified and no major reason to test (e.g. they are a HCW) |
Stable; +Respiratory Symptoms 2 w/o other clear cause | Admission | Patient: Mask
Providers: Contact/eye protection/ procedure mask
Single room, door closed |
Yes, notify receiving team of PUI status, utilize single patient room for non-AGP1 transmission risk patient class |
UnstableàMay need intubation; +Respiratory Symptoms2 & No COVID-19 exposure Hx | Admission | Patient: Mask (if tolerated)
Providers: Contact/eye protection/N95
AIIR (Negative Pressure Room if available) |
Yes, notify receiving team of PUI status, utilize AIIR for AGP1 transmission risk patients |
*COVID-19 tests for patients with expected outpatient disposition should be ordered through Quest: “Reference Test COVID-19 for Quest labs”. NP Swab only.
COVID-19 tests for Admitted patients or in cases of a potential HCW exposure should preferentially go to Local DOH lab (need approval from DOH) to expedite turnaround time. Order: Reference Test, “COVID-19 DOH County Lab” NP Swab only.
AIIR: Airborne Isolation Room
Mask: surgical mask
N95: N95 Respirator
PPE: Personal Protective Equipment
PUI: Patient under investigation
- AGP: Aerosol generating procedures: intubation, open suctioning from mouth, sputum induction, CPR)
- Respiratory Symptoms—>any: Cough, Sore Throat, Hypoxia, SOB