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MHC COVID-19 Mobile Specimen Collection Sites Closing
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In recent months, factors which supported the erection of these sites have changed, e.g., prevalence of community positivity rate, demand for testing, etc. As a result of these changes, Munson Healthcare is sunsetting the Mobile Collection Sites for COVID-19 Specimen Collection effective July 19th.
Sick Patient COVID-19 Testing
- COVID-19 specimen collection (if testing is warranted by evaluation) for symptomatic patients will transition to Primary Care Providers, Urgent Care Centers and Walk In Clinics; and COVID testing for asymptomatic patients (e.g., pre-procedural testing) will be referred to MHC laboratory sites.
- If practices are interested in learning more COVID-19 specimen collection and POC antigen or PCR testing in the ambulatory setting, please reach out to Bonnie Kruszka bkruszka@mhc.net for support.
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COVID-19 Testing
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Changes to Munson Healthcare Pre-Operative COVID-19 Testing
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Effective Monday, July 19, the allowable pre-procedural COVID-19 specimen collection window will change from 4 days to 3 days prior to the scheduled procedure.
We are also transitioning pre-procedural COVID-19 specimen collection to our Munson Healthcare laboratories and closing our COVID-19 mobile collection locations.
Patients needing pre-procedural COVID-19 testing should be directed an available Munson Healthcare Laboratory location get that testing completed.
- Note that there are a few MHC Laboratory locations that do not do COVID-19 testing. These locations are noted on the MHC Laboratory Location website.
- Some lab locations may have different hours of operation, including changes to weekend specimen collection availability.
- COVID-19 Pre-Procedural Laboratory test requisitions should be sent to the Munson Healthcare Laboratories prior to collection (same as you would for any other laboratory test).
- Please do not fax requisitions to the Mobile Collection Site as they will no longer be manned.
Please familiarize yourself and your staff with the updated COVID-19 Specimen Collection Window and Dates Job Aid and the locations, hours, and testing availability at the Munson Healthcare laboratories.
The pre-procedural testing process should be utilized for all of the following:
- All procedures that require general anesthesia
- OB patients (C-section, induction)
- Patients admitted to either inpatient or observation status
- All procedures considered aerosol-generating procedure (AGP)
- Ear, Nose, and Throat procedures
- Laryngoscopy
- EGD
- ERCP
- TEE
- Bronchoscopy
- Provider discretion (e.g., patient recently exposed to COVID-19)
In addition:
- Patients need to self-quarantine between the time of the test and the day of procedure.
- The ordering provider is responsible for sharing results with the patient, and any POSITIVE test results with the health department of the patient’s residence.
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Isotope Shortage for Gallbladder Imaging
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- We continue to experience a shortage of Mebrofenin cold kits, which are used for gallbladder imaging.
- There will be no Mebrofenin cold kits made for the weekend (July 17-18).
- Schedule permitting, we are able to conduct gallbladder imaging scheduled before 10 am, Monday – Friday.
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People on the Move
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Christian Merz, MSN, RN has been named Interim Maternity Manager for Munson Medical Center.
Jim Graham has joined Munson Healthcare as the Interim System Director for Talent Acquisition responsible for all system recruitment, onboarding and Munson Healthcare Staffing Services.
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