Change in COVID Testing for Post-Discharge Placement

Change in COVID Testing for Post-Discharge Placement
05.18.2023

Effective Monday, May 22, MHC Infection Prevention and Microbiology have changed the recommended platform for testing patients to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or rehab from COVID-P to COVID-A. Prior to discharging a patient to a SNF, attending provider or case manager should order a COVID-A test.

COVID-A was selected as the preferred testing platform prior to discharge to SNF as:

  • delivers same-day results (COVID-P results can take up to 24 hours, which can cause a delay in discharge and/or order of rapid COVID-R test that can cause "false positive" test results also delaying discharge)

  • provides more accurate results for ASYMPTOMATIC patients who have not had a recent infection (preferred method)