Quick Read:
- All UW Medicine healthcare personnel with respiratory infection symptoms should get tested for COVID-19 and remain home according to return to work policies.
- All patients with symptoms concerning for respiratory virus infection should be placed in isolation precautions appropriate to the setting.
- Isolation precautions include removing the person from waiting rooms. If there is a delay in moving the person, ensure they are masked.
Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 are affecting not only our patients but our families as well. There are a variety of respiratory resources at UW Medicine to help you with testing, management and treatment during this respiratory virus season. Please use this single reference email to locate useful information.
Employee Testing, Treatment, Return to Work, and Reporting
- COVID-19 testing information resource: COVID-19 testing information.
- PCR testing continues to be the best test for people who may have COVID-19.
- PCR testing is available at many sites, including the UW Medicine Laboratory Medicine sites.
- Two antigen tests separated by 48 hours are acceptable for employees with symptoms that may be COVID-19 if there are barriers to PCR testing.
- COVID-19 antigen tests are available from Washington State for free by signing up here.
- Employees with risk factors for flu complications should contact their primary care provider or urgent care/emergency care site for influenza testing and treatment.
- Employees who have COVID-19 and are at risk for COVID-19 complications should contact their primary care provider or use this free telehealth resource for COVID-19 treatment.
- If your COVID-19 tests are negative, you can return to work when your symptoms are improving, coughing and/or sneezing are infrequent and do not interfere with your work, and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours. Further guidance is available here.
- If you have a household member (including children) with COVID-19 symptoms, testing is recommended. Asymptomatic healthcare workers can continue to work.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 or have an exposure to a positive individual, please notify Employee Health by completing this form.
Patient Testing and Treatment
Outpatient/ED Respiratory Virus Testing
- COVID-19/influenza testing information resource.
- COVID-19 PCR testing continues to be the best test for people who might have COVID-19.
- COVID-19 PCR testing is available at many sites, including the UW Medicine Laboratory Medicine sites.
- As an alternative to PCR testing, two COVID-19 antigen tests separated by 48 hours are recommended for people with symptoms that could be COVID-19.
- COVID-19 antigen tests are available from Washington State for free by signing up here.
- With influenza and RSV circulating in the community, testing for either or both infections may be appropriate depending on co-morbidities, treatment options and patient disposition. UW testing guidance is available here, including a list of at-risk groups from these infections.
Inpatient Respiratory Virus Testing
- All patients who are admitted are tested for COVID-19 on days 0, 2, 5, and every 7 days thereafter.
- For inpatients with respiratory symptoms concerning for infection:
- Test for Influenza A & B, RSV and COVID-19 with the rapid PCR test.
- See COVID-19/influenza testing information resource.
- Place in appropriate isolation precautions.
Outpatient/ED Treatment
Inpatient Treatment
- All inpatients with COVID-19 should be treated according to UW Medicine guidance.
- All inpatients with influenza should be treated with oseltamivir regardless of duration of symptoms or risk factors. UW Medicine guidance for influenza treatment is available here.
Sincerely,
UW Medicine Infection Prevention and Control Team
