1. Pre-operative Testing at Seattle Children’s: What Happens When Patients Live Far Away or Cannot Get Tested in Time

We are screening all pre-operative patients for COVID-19. This includes patients who will have a procedure in an operating room and those who need anesthesia in Radiology. Families who have a procedure or surgery scheduled receive a reminder call 72 hours before surgery from the pre-procedure nurses. These tests need to be collected 24 to 72 hours prior to surgery and are being offered at our drive-through testing location at our Sand Point Learning Center (SPLC) north of the hospital, or during an in-person appointment at one of our four urgent care locations in Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way and Seattle. Learn more about testing at Seattle Children’s.

When 24 Hour Tests are Necessary

Requests for testing within 24 hours may come up for cases that are added last minute. These families can come to Seattle to have their testing performed within the 24 hour period. Results from external facilities should be faxed to the Seattle Children’s Pre-Anesthesia COVID-19 testing line at 206-987-2060 by 5 p.m. the day before procedure.

We understand that timely testing is not widely available outside the Seattle area. Perioperative Services will be working with families traveling from further away to help coordinate early arrival to the Seattle area to allow testing.

There will be patients who will be unable to undergo testing prior to surgery due to distance or urgency of procedure. If testing cannot be conducted, there will be a clinical escalation to decide if the procedure should:

  • Be postponed until testing can be completed
  • Proceed – with appropriate precautions in place to protect our workforce

As a reminder, Seattle Children’s is informing families of the testing requirement, placing the screening order at SPLC or one of our Urgent Care locations and communicating the test results. All testing is ordered by Seattle Children’s providers.

2. COVID-19 Testing Site Hours for Memorial Day Weekend Orders for Sunday and Monday

The hours of operation for the workforce and patient testing site at Sand Point Learning Center over Memorial Day weekend will be:

  • Saturday, May 23: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 24: Closed
  • Monday, May 25: Closed

Patients who need to be tested within the 24 to 72-hour timeframe prior to a scheduled procedure or clinic visit can be scheduled for a COVID-19 testing appointment at a Children’s Urgent Care Clinic on Sunday or Monday.

Providers must place an order for patients to schedule a COVID-19 swab appointment at Urgent Care. After an order is placed, please instruct or transfer families to our COVID-19 Family Call Center at 206-987-2100 to schedule an appointment at their preferred Urgent Care location within their testing timeframe.

The Family Call Center is available Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over Memorial Day weekend, they will be closed on Sunday and Monday, May 24 and 25. Patients who need a COVID-19 test on Sunday or Monday, May 24 or 25, will need to have their provider place a testing order and schedule their appointment before 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 23.

There are 20 testing slots available each day at Urgent Care locations; families will be offered another date or location if all of the appointment slots at their preferred Urgent Care site are filled.

3. Expanded Information about COVID-19 Testing at Seattle Children’s

You can now learn what patients can expect and see our frequently asked questions about COVID-19 testing. Read our updated COVID-19 testing information.

4. COVID-19 Testing Update

As of May 21, Seattle Children’s has tested 3,525 patients. The positivity rate is 1.2% (positive results: 34; inconclusive: 8); the rate is 1.8% in symptomatic patients and 0.3% in asymptomatic patients. One patient is hospitalized and the others are recovering at home.

5. Information for Families

We are committed to keeping our patients, families and workforce safe from exposure to COVID-19. Families can find information here about the robust safety measures we have in place.