Rationing Tests?

Rationing tests? In the U.S.A.? It may sound strange to hear that in the land of plenty we are rationing tests. But here we are, ill prepared for a global pandemic. One of the most difficult things to say to patients who are having symptoms of cough and/or fever during this pandemic is that they need to stay home and act as if they had COVID-19. Testing, for the most part, is being reserved for the patients sick enough to require a hospital admission. I don’t think it helps that many people keep seeing things in the news touting how people can get tested without fully explaining the limitations we have. Or maybe my region of the country is the abnormality? Ideally we could swab anyone who had symptoms. But since we cannot, maybe this will help: With a limited supply of testing supplies, we should only test those in which testing will change the management or treatment.It is accepted that there is a spectrum of presentation of COVID-19. Some patients may have zero symptoms. Some patients may have mild symptoms. Some patients will need extra support that requires treatment in a hospital (like supplemental oxygen, mechanical ventilation, etc.)If patients are stable enough that they are breathing comfortably, they should stay home and act like they have COVID-19. They should treat symptoms and self quarantine to avoid spreading it others who might develop more severe disease. Patients who have symptoms that include shortness of breath or trouble breathing should g...
Source: JeffreyMD.com - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: After Residency My Life covid covid19 infection pandemic panic Source Type: blogs