St. Luke's Medical Center on Monday began requiring a COVID-19 swab test for all patients and their companions prior to admission due to a surge in infections that has overwhelmed hospitals in and out of Metro Manila.
Filling up a health declaration form also remains part of protocol before entering the hospital, St. Luke's said.
"Due to the current surge of COVID-19 cases, St. Luke’s Medical Center would require a COVID-19 swab test for all patients, their companions and visitors, effective March 29, 2021," it said in an announcement.
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Here are the guidelines on the COVID-19 test requirement issued by St. Luke's Medical Center:
Patients
Emergency Room Admission
All patients, regardless of the case, will be swabbed using rapid RT-PCR test prior to admission. All patients will be properly assessed based on exhibited signs and symptoms.
For those who need emergency surgical procedure, patients will be attended at the COVID-designated operating room pending the swab result.
Direct Admission (Non-Surgical Cases)
Those with a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result no longer than 3 days prior to admission date and those with no COVID-like symptoms nor high-risk exposure for the past 14 days will be accommodated.
For patients without any swab test result, they will be directed to the emergency room for triaging and assessment.
Elective Surgical and Gynecological Cases
Patients scheduled for elective surgeries must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR result at least three days prior to the procedure.
Those who are COVID-positive will undergo the procedure in the COVID-designated operating room with exemptions for conditions that need the main operating room setting.
An assessment will meanwhile be done to see if a repeat swab test is needed for patients with COVID-like symptoms for the past 10 days or with high-risk exposure for the past 14 days.
Obstetrical Cases
An RT-PCR test result taken at least three days before the elective or scheduled delivery is needed. For patients in labor or undergoing normal spontaneous delivery, a swab test must be done no longer than seven days prior to procedure.
For COVID-positive patients, they will undergo the procedure in the COVID-designated operating room with exemptions for conditions that need the main operating room setting.
An assessment will meanwhile be done to see if a repeat swab test is needed for patients with COVID-like symptoms for the past 10 days or with high-risk exposure for the past 14 days.
Companions
In-patient
Companions of patients to be admitted must present a negative swab test taken at least three days prior to the patient's hospital admission. Only one companion will be allowed per patient. A maximum of two will be considered for patients who require extra care, and must be cleared by the attending physician.
Out-patient
Companions are only allowed for patients who require extra care and assistance; pediatric patients; and post-op ambulatory cases.
Visitors
Visitors are not allowed unless necessary and evaluated by the attending doctor. A visitor will only be allowed upon presentation of a negative swab test done no longer than three days prior to hospital visit.
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