Outpatient COVID-19 Testing: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions - Outpatient Testing for COVID 19 (4.28.2020)
How should I prioritize testing? We suggest prioritizing symptomatic patients first. Our current case definition for COVID 19, is 2 or more of the following symptoms with no alternative diagnosis Fever, Cough, Sore throat, Difficulty breathing, Myalgia, Anosmia. However, you should rely on your clinical judgment if patients do not meet the case definition exactly given the evolving understanding of the disease Internally, Cincinnati Children’s is prioritizing patients in special populations with an even more inclusive case definition: Fever OR Respiratory Distress. Special populations include: • Immunocompromised • Resident of a long-term care facility • Respiratory technology dependent • Infants < 1 year
What type of test is available and what is the turnaround? Cincinnati Children’s will be offering PCR lab testing by appointment ONLY. Turnaround time for results is currently 24 hours. Results will be sent to you via the same lab communication used for other routine lab tests. Any positive results will also be shared with Public Health authorities.
When/where will the testing appointments be available? Appointments will be available Monday-Friday and the Scheduling Center will work with families to determine the most convenient time and place.
How can I order a testing appointment for my patient? There are 4 ways you can schedule a testing appointment for COVID-19.
1. Send via Epic Link – If you have Epic Link access, you can order testing using Order Entry functionality. Start in a patient chart. Click Order Entry from the toolbar. Search for ‘COVID’ and the test will populate as COVID 19 panel. Contact your Physician Liaison for assistance (contact info at end of document).
2. Send via your Electronic Medical Record – Send a regular lab order indicating COVID-19 testing in the comments box or elsewhere on your EMRs order form.
3. Send via Fax – Fax our Clinical Laboratory Order form to 513-636-3918. Indicate COVID-19 testing in the Dx Description area at the top. The Clinical Laboratory Order form is available electronically at https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/professional/referrals
4. If you do not have access to the Clinical Laboratory Order form, we will accept an order from a prescription pad. Please make sure to sign and date the order and clearly print: Patient Name, Gender, DOB, Diagnosis, and patient/family preferred phone number.
What happens AFTER I place an order? What should families expect? Once you have placed the order for a testing appointment:
Instruct families to allow 30 min. Then, they should call the Cincinnati Children’s COVID Scheduling Center 513-517-2670 to schedule their appointment.
When families call the COVID Scheduling Center, they can arrange an appointment at the location and time that is most convenient for them.
COVID Scheduling Center hours of operation are 7:30a-4:00p Monday-Friday. Orders placed at/after 4pm will be handled the following morning.
Are there other additional considerations I should know about? If you have concerns about behavioral issues for a patient, please call the Behavior Safety Team 513-803-1085 (between 8a-5p) or send email to Michael.schweer@cchmc.org. We would like to create an environment that creates the least amount of stress for families and patients. Patients who are unable to travel to testing sites may be eligible for in-home testing through Cincinnati Children’s Home Care Services. Patients do not have to be current Home Care Patients but must live within 55 miles of Cincinnati Children’s in Ohio or Kentucky. This option is available Monday-Friday. Please call (513)636-HOME Option #9 to speak to a Resource Nurse for information on this option.
Who is responsible for reporting positive results to state or local HD? Cincinnati Children’s is responsible for reporting positive results to all health agencies.
Questions? Contact your Physician Liaison:
Lana Akers – lana.akers@cchmc.org (513) 803-8413
Ellen Hosty – ellen.hosty@cchmc.org (513) 636-0977
Kim Hunt – kimberly.hunt@cchmc.org (513) 636-4260
Jessica Marischen – jessica.marischen@cchmc.org (513) 636-6389
Therese Martin – therese.martin@cchmc.org (513) 284-5476
Megan Schmutte – megan.schmutte@cchmc.org (513) 636-8774