Some long-term care sites are requiring a negative COVID test before admitting a patient from a hospital – even patients whose hospital stay had no relation to COVID. The state has agreed that if it is required in order to discharge patients, you can test these people. Current reports are that the testing capacity in our state – which is growing every day – are being underutilized.

If you are holding off on taking admissions because you are not sure someone has active COVID-19, PLEASE ask the hospital to complete a test so the results are known prior to date of discharge.  Don’t wait until the day of discharge to do this, ask for the test when you are sent the referral. UW and DOH turnaround time right now is 24 hours, private labs are taking longer.  Hospitals are rapidly reaching capacity; we all need to work together during this time to make sure these residents are cared for timely and in the appropriate setting.  

Questions? Contact: 

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN
Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 360-691-9281