人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频 will begin transitioning to COVID-19 testing indoors on November 11, 2020.
Utah's changing climate prompted U of U 人妻中出视频 to transition to indoor testing. "Working in the heat of summer helped us realize that a long-term outdoor testing solution was not in our employees' best interest," says Richard Orlandi, MD, associate chief medical officer for ambulatory health at 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频. "Having all of our testing outdoors put a significant strain on our staff鈥攁bove and beyond the strain they're under just doing COVID-19 testing." Testing indoors ensures U of U 人妻中出视频 provides the best quality of care to our patients. This will allow health care workers to better evaluate patients during influenza, strep, and cold season.
At the start of the pandemic, 人妻中出视频 of Utah 人妻中出视频 clinical teams began testing patients for COVID-19 outdoors as a fast and efficient method. During that time, testing protocols have evolved. In September, U of U 人妻中出视频 collaborated with ARUP to provide a safer and less invasive saliva COVID-19 test for patients. U of U 人妻中出视频 then moved to appointment-only testing to help reduce long lines and relieve stress on staff. The new move to COVID-19 testing indoors will give patients more options by expanding to all U of U 人妻中出视频 centers.
Residents in Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, and Utah counties can now get tested in their communities through U of U 人妻中出视频. "Testing will be more convenient for patients and will also level out the volume of testing across our system, reducing the demand on any one site," Orlandi says. "Combined with appointments, this will create a safer flow of testing."
The process to get tested for COVID-19 may look different at each of our 12 U of U 人妻中出视频 centers, but safety protocols will remain the same.
- Self-collected saliva testing helps U of U 人妻中出视频 move testing indoors safely. Saliva testing limits patient-to-employee contact and reduces transmission of the virus through the air. Saliva tests do not generate aerosolized particles like deep nasal swabbing.
- All patients are required to schedule an appointment for COVID-19 testing. Appointments will help prevent indoor crowding, control physical distancing, and limit patient contact.
- All patients and visitors must wear a face covering inside all U of U 人妻中出视频 centers. Scientific evidence has shown that face coverings help prevent people from spreading COVID-19.
- Designated waiting and collection areas separate respiratory patients inside U of U 人妻中出视频 centers. These areas are managed to hold a minimal number of patients to ensure proper physical distancing. Individual collection areas allow for safe specimen collection during COVID-19 testing.
- Strict cleaning guidelines approved by Infection Prevention & Control are followed by U of U 人妻中出视频's environmental services team. Patient areas are thoroughly cleaned following every COVID-19 testing appointment. This includes waiting areas, collection areas, and items used during COVID-19 testing.
- U of U 人妻中出视频 continues to invest in innovation to provide additional safety measures to better protect patients from the virus. HEPA filter booths placed in each collection area will assist in safe specimen collection during testing.
U of U 人妻中出视频 leaders say they expect to continue to adjust and adapt safety as testing protocols evolve and as experts continue to learn more about the virus. "We are committed to uphold our promise of quality health care to all patients," Orlandi said.