Shot Marcus a PM but I know there's a bunch of other docs on here who have been in the trenches with COVID and looking for some feedback. My dad (84 YO, no prior heart issues, on meds for cholesterol but well under control, no BP issues) started having chest pains today. Was admitted at regional hospital and labs seemed to check out other than elevated cardiac enzymes. They are keeping him overnight for observation but have not screened for COVID.

Am I crazy or should this be pretty standard given advanced age?

Tough to say because we don't know the hospital's testing capacity or policies. For the most part, our hospital is not testing for COVID on routine chest pain patients being admitted to the hospital who have absolutely no concerning symptoms for a viral syndrome like headache, fevers, chills, cough, SOB, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. The reason is we have a limited supply of tests.

Speaking from Georgia, COVID Tests are free and readily accessible in most states (over 850 free sites in Texas) You may be able to request one.
Doesn't sound like his symptoms warrant a test at this time.
Prayers for your dad and a quick recovery.

Agree with above. Considering there is no treatment for COVID at this time, other than supportive care, a test result wouldn't change management other than possibly requiring him to go into an isolation ward. They definitely got a chest x ray on him and likely didn't see any typical findings associated with COVID and, coupled with the lack of other symptoms, didn't see a need to test.

Yep that was my next question to my mom - what was chest x ray result. Came back completely normal but still worrisome

I responded to you. I would test him. No downside to it. We have plenty of test kits. The virus is tricky. We are basically testing everyone admitted here now. Regardless of complaint.

My 84 yr old mom was just taken to St Lukes in Houston (willowbrook) area. She could not breath and was not able to talk. She is on a breathing tube. I would be surprised if they don't test her. We are waiting to hear from doc.

Yes saw your response, thank you. I was shocked they hadn't when I talked to my mom. Called her back and told her they need to check.

I'm in Montgomery and they are at a county hospital west of Ft Worth so that doesn't help. Don't think he is Covid positive but I know how insidious and rapid progression can be in older patients.

I thought they were testing all admits and all procedures for the sake of protecting other people.

3rd Generation Ag said:

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I thought they were testing all admits and all procedures for the sake of protecting other people.

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Yes I guess I was under the impression tests are readily available and anyone being admitted to a hospital would get tested.

Agreed that's what really stuck out to me too. Weird.

Our hospital is not testing all admissions. I don't think it's a question of a test availability but rather logistics and efficient use of resources.

Only those who are having symptoms of a viral infection or a known exposure are being tested. If they come in with a complaint of chest pain and there is no sign of viral infection, we aren't testing. This is especially true if there's an obvious other cause for the symptoms, such as clear signs of bacterial infection, etc.

It would be a lot easier if we had a rapid screen where we knew within an hour or two if they had it or not, but our tests are taking about 24 hours.

So to put every single person admitted to the hospital in a strict isolation environment where the nurses are wearing full gowns, headgear, etc. would be wasting a ton of PPE. From a logistical standpoint it would make it also very difficult to separate truly suspected Covid cases from the folks who are being tested just out of precaution. We are trying very hard to isolate all of the Covid and suspected Covid patients on to one unit separate from the other patients.

The vast majority of people coming into the hospital do not have Covid.

That being said, I absolutely think we are missing cases. We still take precautions with every patient, just not as much as we do with the known positives or suspected cases.

Strange because my daughter can't get a colon test because she is afraid of the pain of the covid test. And everyone I know getting any kind of medical or dental procedure as an outpatient is having to have the test first. I am really surprised a hostipal would admit without being sure the person is not postiive.

I am working in 3 separate hospital systems currently and they are all testing every patient before being kept in the hospital and all patients before undergoing any outpatient procedure whether they are symptomatic or not. I assumed all hospitals were doing this by now, so I find this thread enlightening.

And there should be no pain to the Covid test prior to procedures. The PCR test (takes up to 4 hours to run) required a nasopharyngeal sample (tickle the brain). To facilitate flow on the day of procedures they would have to run a rapid antigen test. This calls only for nasal swabbing.

When my daugther saw a video of them poking a swab up someones nose, she cancelled the appointment. And many people say it is really uncomfortable. To he uncomfortable must mean it hurts. She had never been able to do pain and since early childhood faints at the sight of blood.

Problem is getting to cath lab in a timely manner and getting that CABG if needed... they may put it off at risk to your dad because the hospital stops these procedures unless direly needed. Covid Pts plugging up the hospital is the issue.