COVID-19 Testing

State officials are urging physicians and medical providers to increase testing to help the state identify those infected with the virus. Updated guidance and resources below. Be sure to check the DOH health care provider webpage for the most up-to-date guidance.

How can physicians and providers help?

• Test all persons with any symptom that could be consistent with COVID-19.
• Test all close contacts (< 6 ft. of distance for > 15 minutes).
• Use self-collected nasal swabs if the person is able to.
• Complete all required information on requisition to include:
  • Complete contact information.
  • Race/ethnicity.
• Provide public health centered counseling around:
  • What and how to isolate and quarantine (see patient resources below for assistance).
  • Assess support needs.
  • How important it is to do this.
  • If they are positive that they will be contacted by public health and why it is important that they provide contact information.

Symptomatic patients should be tested within 24 hours or referred to another testing site and provided guidance (see below) on the need to isolate (for ill persons) and self-quarantine (for exposed contacts).

Use in-state labs for testing

The DOH is now strongly encouraging clinicians to use our in-state labs for COVID-19 testing so that we can shorten the turn-around time for test results. The following is a list of Washington-based labs that have confirmed their willingness to provide molecular COVID-19 testing to hospitals and clinics. Please feel free to reach out to these labs to discuss: Download the list of in-state laboratories and their contact information.

Testing guidance

• Washington State Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 Testing Information for Healthcare Providers (updated June 28, 2020).
• DOH Self-Swab Nasal Collection Instructions.
• DOH Self-Swab Mid-Turbinate Collection Instructions.
• DOH Nasopharyngeal (NP) Specimen Collection Instructions.
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention COVID-19 Testing Information for Healthcare Providers.

Reimbursement

• COVID-19 Reimbursement - Detailed guidance from the WSMA on reimbursement related to COVID-19 and the novel coronavirus.

Testing supplies

• If you are having challenges obtaining specimen collection supplies, contact your Local Health Jurisdiction.

For your patients

• COVID-19 Testing Resources for Patients (updated June 30, 2020) - This DOH patient handout details testing resources available to patients, including information on cost and testing sites.
• What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
• What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
• What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• Chronic Disease and COVID-19: What You Need to Know: Tips and information to protect yourself and your family.
• Enfermedad Crónica y el COVID-19: Lo Que Usted Necesita Saber.

These DOH materials are available in additional languages.

PPE

• Contact your local emergency management agency to request and receive these items.
• FDA-approved disposable ASTM Level 1 simple procedural masks - The WSMA has partnered with WSHA to make these masks available to medical groups and physician practices at bulk pricing, while stocks are available.
• The AMA is now offering PPE, including N95 masks and disposable isolation gowns, to AMA members. Learn more. Don't delay—July 30 is the deadline to register.

On-Demand COVID-19 Virtual Grand Rounds webinars

Visit the WSMA On-Demand Webinars page for archived presentations from our COVID-19 Virtual Grand Rounds series featuring physician experts on a variety of clinical topics. These on-demand sessions are for WSMA members only.