Members of the public are getting the message: Call your doctor or clinic if you think you have the novel coronavirus.
It’s important to call ahead if you have symptoms of COVID-19. The hospital or clinic can properly protect its staff before you arrive, or you might be told to recover at home so you don’t make other people sick.
Now Sanford Health clinics are getting calls from people with colds or other respiratory illnesses asking for a doctor’s note and a negative COVID-19 test before they can return to work.
“I’m sure it’s out of concern in the community,” said Dr. Mike Wilde, vice president and medical officer at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. But he would like to clear up some things.
COVID-19 testing requirements
First, COVID-19 tests are not available to anyone who wants one. Not yet, anyway.
“There are not many tests available in the U.S., and we need to reserve those for the most ill patients,” Dr. Wilde said.
To be tested, patients must meet high risk criteria and have a physician order. Effective Sept. 22, COVID-19 screening questions for Sanford Health employees and patients have been updated to include symptoms of nasal congestion and excessive fatigue. These updates align with recent changes made by the CDC.
Updated patient screening questions include:
- Do you have a fever over 100.4 degrees, chills, sore throat, cough, new shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell, new muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, new headache, new nasal congestion, or excessive fatigue; or have a pending COVID-19 test because you were having any of those symptoms?
- Do you have a pending COVID-19 test without any of the symptoms previously mentioned?
- In the last 14 days, have you been exposed to anyone with a lab confirmed COVID-19 test or have you had a COVID-19 positive result?
Sanford Health also prioritizes testing hospitalized patients with COVID-19 symptoms, older adults, and people of any age with underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Learn more: Coronavirus testing at Sanford Health
Sanford Health has launched a test for the COVID-19 virus using an FDA-approved method under Emergency Use Authorization. Tests will be available at Sanford clinics and medical centers, and processed at the Sanford laboratory in Sioux Falls. Patients will receive results in 24-48 hours.
Rapid COVID-19 tests, ready in 45-90 minutes, also are available for the highest priority patients.
A note about doctors’ notes
Now, about that doctor’s note. Because of patient privacy laws, it can only contain certain information, Dr. Wilde said.
“We can’t tell an employer what a test result was,” he said.
As a result, clinics cannot provide return-to-work notes regarding COVID-19. Instead of requiring tests and notes, Dr. Wilde asks that employers follow CDC guidance on what to do when you’re sick and when to stop home isolation.
“If an employee is ill, have them stay home,” Dr. Wilde said. “It comes down to having symptoms and having the person self-isolate. (If you’re sick) don’t come into work, don’t go out in public, stay away from family members, especially those who are vulnerable, and practicing good hygiene.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2020. It was last updated Sept. 17, 2020, to reflect new CDC guidelines.
Learn more
- COVID-19 FAQs: How can I tell if I have coronavirus?
- COVID-19 FAQs: Do we need to wear face masks?
- Carry your COVID-19 vaccination card on your phone
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Posted In COVID-19, Frequently Asked Questions, Sioux Falls, Workplace Health
