Confused about COVID precautions? Here’s a primer

As exposures to COVID-19 and the omicron variant increase throughout our community and Asante, here are some facts that may help you make decisions about special precautions, COVID testing and isolation:

My patient’s COVID test was negative, but there is a flag on the chart stating “COVID-19 Exposure/Symptoms” and a pop-up stating isolation should be ordered. Can you help get rid of the pop-up?

A travel screen answer indicating symptoms of COVID would trigger a flag. The provider needs to order “Remove Travel Screen BPA” to resolve this issue. If the travel screen answer mentions an exposure to COVID, the patient should be placed in special precautions and quarantined for 14 days from the last date of exposure.

Can my COVID-positive patient be removed from special precautions?

This is a decision to be made by the provider. Please refer to the COVID-19 intranet hub under the Clinical Providers section, Discontinuing Isolation Precautions for Adults with COVID.

My patient had a positive COVID test within the past 90 days. Do we need to re-test the patient?

On the COVID hub, under the Clinical Providers section, refer to Guidelines for Testing/Retesting Previously Positive COVID-19 Patients.

My patient tested positive for COVID today, but also had a positive test within the past 90 days. How should we proceed with isolation?

On the COVID hub, under the Clinical Providers section, refer to Guidelines for Testing/Retesting Previously Positive COVID-19 Patients linked above. Direct the provider to follow the Discontinuing Isolation Precautions for Adults with COVID guidelines to determine if isolation is warranted.

We need help determining if this patient can go into the hot zone?

Only confirmed positive COVID patients can go into the Hot Zone.

My patient is in special precautions due to exposure. When can this be discontinued?

The patient needs to remain in special precautions for 14 days from the last date of exposure. Testing negative does not allow them to come out of isolation early. This information can be found on the Treatment Team Sticky Notes.

My patient is going to surgery/endo/procedure. Do they need a COVID test?

Refer to the COVID hub under the Surgery section, Perioperative SARS-CoV-2 Screening/Testing Algorithm.

 Are we isolating patients with a history of MRSA and VRE?

We are isolating patients only with an active MRSA or VRE infection. Refer to the COVID hub under the General Employee Information, Temporary Changes in Isolation Requirements and Flags in Epic Due to COVID-19.