Waiting for COVID-19 Test Results for Hospitalized Patients

You or your child are here for hospital care and have COVID-19 symptoms. We understand this is a difficult time, and you will have a lot of questions. Some of the rules for COVID-19 patient rooms are different from other spaces in the hospital. We have prepared this guide to help you learn more.

Who can be in the room?

• One caregiver will be allowed to enter the unit and be bedside.
• No other visitors or caregivers will be allowed on the unit.
• Caregivers must be 18 years or older.

Can a family member or caregiver come to the hospital if they test positive for COVID-19?

For the health and safety of everyone, Caregivers who are sick and have just tested positive for COVID-19 are not allowed to come to the hospital or be at the bedside.

COVID positive caregivers will be allowed to come to the hospital once:

• It has been 10 days since they received their positive test results for COVID-19
• They have not had a fever for 3 days
• Their symptoms have improved

What are caregivers asked to do when they are on the unit?

• Stay in the room during their time on the unit.
• Wear a mask at all times.
• Order food by phone and have meals delivered to the room.

Please remember Caregivers of patients who have or may have COVID-19 must stay out of the common areas of the hospital.

When will the test results be available?

• The team will share test results as soon as they are available.
• It may take longer to get results on the weekends, or during the night.
• Your nurse will be able to explain the results.

What will happen after the test results come back?

• If the results are negative, you will be removed from isolation if appropriate and may be moved based on hospital needs.
• If the results are positive, you will stay in your current room if appropriate. This will depend on the type of care needed.

How long will the isolation be require for?

All patients who are being tested for COVID-19 will be placed on isolation. The amount of time someone will have to be on isolation will depend on their test results.

If the test is positive:

Symptoms	Isolation days needed	Immunocompromised isolation days	More information
You or your child have symptoms.	10 Days	20 Days	You or your child also need to have at least 24 hours with no fever and with improvement in symptoms.
You or your child have no symptoms.	10 Days	20 Day

Your child may be discharged before the 10 days are over. If this happens, we will give you information about how to stay safe at home.

If the test is negative:

Symptoms	Isolation days needed.	More information
You or your child have no symptoms.	No more isolation is needed.	If the test is negative, you can stop the isolation.

Who can I talk to if I have more questions?

Please talk to your child’s nurse if you have more questions or concerns