COVID-19 testing
Hi everyone,
The process for testing for COVID-19 keeps changing and has become pretty confusing. So we’re going to go through it all in detail! If you have any questions about what needs to be done, you can also always call the lab at 718-283-8231 for more information.
Call the DoH for approval to test for COVID-19
Their number is 866-692-3641
This number can also be found via the globe by scrolling to the bottom of the screen under the Phone Numbers section, or in the lab order screen after selecting COVID-19 Screening.
Be aware, they are currently only approving testing for patients being admitted to the hospital. If you feel strongly that a patient who is being discharged should be tested, you will need to send the samples up to the lab which will store the samples until commercial testing becomes available. This doesn’t mean don’t call the DoH, but just be prepared that they will probably deny the test for discharged patients.
If they approve the testing, they will take down your information and provide you with a subject number. You need this subject number in order for the lab to process the test and send it out to the DoH for testing. You should ask them for the subject number over the phone, otherwise you may be waiting a long time for an email with that information.
If they do not approve the testing but you feel that this patient should be tested, for example they are being discharged but you consider them high risk, then you will not be given a subject number by the DoH. Simply place the order through HMED and the lab should hold onto the samples until a commercial testing site is available to run them.
Whether the DoH approved the testing or not, order the COVID-19 testing through HMED. It can be found under Common labs à COVID-19 Screening.
Complete the COVID-19 Lab Submission Request
To do this, click on the globe and select “Taylor Healthcare (Standard Register)” under the Patient Specific Links section.
Once on Taylor Healthcare, search for “covid” or “10087” (the document number) to find the form
Print out the selected form and complete any sections marked with an *
Collect the specimens. This requires 1 nasopharyngeal swab and 1 oropharyngeal swab.
You should use the flu swabs, which are the same as the RVP swabs, for both samples. These can be found with the charge nurse.
For the nasopharyngeal swab, insert the swab in 1 nostril parallel to the palate. Leave the swab there for a few seconds to absorb secretions, then remove. Repeat this process in the other nostril using the same swab.
For the oropharyngeal swab, insert a new swab into the posterior oropharynx, avoiding the tongue. This is similar to a strep swab.
Each swab should be in its own medium, do not combine them. In other words, you should have 1 tube with 1 nasopharyngeal swab, and a 2nd tube with 1 oropharyngeal swab.
Label the specimens with the following information:
Patient’s first and last names
Patient date of birth
Date and time of collection
Specimen source
Make sure the subject number provided by the DoH (if they approved the test) is associated with these samples, either on the label itself or on the biohazard bag, as well as in a progress note in the chart
Transport the specimen to the lab for testing.
All specimens must be transported by hand to the lab.
All specimens should be in a biohazard bag and transported in a Styrofoam container.
You can get a Styrofoam container from the charge nurse.
Wear gloves while transporting the specimens!