St. Luke's to require RT-PCR tests for patients, companions starting March 29

The St. Luke's Medical Center (SLMC) announced on Saturday it will require all patients and companions to undergo RT-PCR swab tests prior to admission starting Monday.

In an advisory, SLMC released guidelines for the mandatory swab tests for patients and companions prior to their admission due to the current surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.

“This will help us ensure thorough screening of all people going inside our hospitals. At the same time, it serves as an added protection that gives further assurance that SLMC is a safe place for all,” the advisory read.

Under the guidelines posted on their website, all patients in the emergency room will be swabbed prior to their admission.

It recommended waiting for the RT-PRC test result for “proper management” but the patients’ conditions will be assessed based on their signs and symptoms.

Meanwhile, companions of the patients to be admitted must also present a negative swab test no longer than three days prior to the admission date.

SLMC, which has hospitals in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City, only allows one companion per patient. It will consider a maximum of two companions for patients needing more assistance, but this should be cleared by the attending physician.

Companions of outpatients will only be allowed for those who require assistance, pediatric patients, and post-operation ambulatory cases.

Emergency surgical procedures will be admitted to SLMC’s COVID-designated operating rooms pending the release of the swab tests.

For non-surgical cases’ direct admission, patients should provide negative RT-PCR test no longer than three days prior to their admission date.

Patients who tested negative for coronavirus with no COVID-like symptoms nor high-risk exposure for the past 14 days will be accommodated. 

Those who fail to provide COVID-19 swab test results will be accommodated in the hospital’s emergency room for triage and assessment.

For patients scheduled for elective surgical and gynecological cases along with those with obstetrical cases, a negative RT-PCR result is mandatory prior to their procedures.

COVID-positive patients who need to undergo the said procedures will be treated in COVID-designated operating rooms except for conditions that require main operating room setting.

Pregnant patients who are in labor or undergoing normal spontaneous delivery are also required to undergo swab test no longer than seven days prior to their procedure.

If tested positive, patients will likewise be accommodated to COVID-designated operating rooms.

No visitors are allowed in SLMC unless necessary and evaluated by the attending physician.

All patients and companions are reminded to adhere to the standard safety protocols and are required to fill out the Health Declaration Form. —Hana Bordey/KG, GMA News