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Providence to end pre-admission COVID testing for asymptomatic patients, Jan. 31

Published Date
Author Providence Provider Update News Team

PROVIDENCE OREGON – A recent review of the evidence supports discontinuing pre-admission testing of most asymptomatic hospital patients beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Important notes

Pre-admission COVID testing will continue for:

  • Patients with symptoms.
  • Patients being admitted to semi-private rooms, or those who will be boarding in a hallway bed.
  • Congregate care units where patients are unable to mask and maintain a safe distance (such as behavioral health).

Providence Child Center and Providence Home and Community Care will continue their current practices.

Precautions prevent asymptomatic transmission

We are continuing our focus on hospital precautions that protect patients and caregivers from asymptomatic transmission.

  • Practicing universal masking.
  • Screening patients for symptoms.
  • Placing patients on special droplet contact precautions if symptoms develop, and testing for COVID or other respiratory viruses as clinically indicated.
  • Using N95 respirators with eye protection or CAPR/PAPR during high-risk situations such as aerosol-generating procedures.

Learn more

See the evidence behind this decision, including a review of recent studies, in the SBAR.