Seattle Children’s has added the following information to our Provider FAQs – COVID-19.

1. Seattle Children’s has updated its COVID-19 testing guidelines

Seattle Children’s has updated its guidelines for testing pediatric patients for the coronavirus, in accordance with guidance from Public Health – Seattle & King County and uncertainty in the testing supply chain. We will continue to update our guidelines as the situation changes.

Seattle Children’s is now testing the following for COVID-19:

  • Admitted patients with any respiratory symptoms or fever of unclear etiology
  • ED/Urgent care/Ambulatory patients with:
    • Acute respiratory symptoms with or without fever AND who fall into ANY ONE of the following groups:
      • Other underlying medical conditions that place a patient at high risk for complications from a viral respiratory illness, such as immune compromised state, chronic cardiac conditions, chronic pulmonary conditions, diabetes, etc.
      • Patients frequently cared for at SCH and anticipated to have multiple visits at SCH in the following 2 weeks
      • Patients involved in an illness cluster in a care facility or institution (e.g., those who live in a long-term care facility)
  • Pre-BMT patients will be tested per SCCA protocol.

Seattle Children’s may test the following for COVID-19, but will exercise judgment in using tests judiciously to save testing kit availability. We will only test if the result will impact patient care; it is reasonable to consider these patients presumed COVID-19 positive without testing and manage per WA DOH recommendations:

  • ED/Urgent care/Ambulatory patients with mild acute respiratory symptoms with or without fever AND with one of the following:
    • International travel in the last 14 days
    • Prolonged close contact (<6 feet for more than a few minutes) with a known COVID-19 positive case

Seattle Children’s WILL NOT test the following groups:

  • Asymptomatic patients
  • Children who are not in high risk groups and who have mild disease

In light of these testing guidelines, we have decided NOT to offer drive-through COVID-19 testing to the community at this time. We will notify you if that changes.

2. Seattle Children’s is accepting inpatients up to age 21

With other hospitals in the area already seeing patient surges that are straining their resources, Seattle Children’s has agreed to begin accepting inpatients up to and including age 21. Doing so will help provide additional space at other hospitals to serve the adult population.

3. PALS, PEARS, NRP, ACLS, CPR and BLS classes are canceled

The American Heart Association has issued a global 60-day grace period for all life support certifications. Based on this and new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Seattle Children’s is canceling our Basic Life Support (BLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition and Stabilization (PEARS), Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses until further notice. Healthcare workers can continue working up to 60 days beyond expiration of their certification.

 

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