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Changes come to COVID-19 testing, tracking
Preprocedural screening replaces some testing and employee exposure tracking is narrowed.
As COVID-19 loosens its grip in our community and our hospitals, Asante is changing two common practices.
Preprocedural screening
Patients undergoing an inpatient or outpatient medical procedure will be screened instead of automatically tested in accordance with new lab guidelines.
Those who answer yes to select questions, however, should be tested up to 72 hours before their procedure. This is per protocol order. (See the new surgical checklist.)
Asante’s “Guidelines for COVID-19 Patient Screening, Scheduling and Testing” is being updated. Providers have the discretion to test outside the protocol. This guidance goes into effect Sept. 27.
Employee exposure
Tracking, tracing and notification for employees exposed to COVID-19 now apply only to employees who have had high-risk exposures, effective immediately.
High-risk is defined as:
- Being present during an aerosol-generating procedure without wearing proper PPE (gown, gloves and N95, CAPR or PAPR protection).
- Spending more than 15 minutes, unmasked, within 6 feet of someone suspected or known to have COVID-19.
If you have questions on either of these changes, email
co*****@as****.org
.
If you have a question, please contact the author or relevant department directly.
