Testing Information for COVID-19

Information on COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated patients having an outpatient procedure

Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 before having an outpatient procedure (going home immediately after)?
No. Currently, due to community transmission rates, if you are having an outpatient procedure (going home immediately after), you do NOT need a COVID-19 test. Preprocedural COVID-19 testing is NO Longer required by the New York State Department of Health for patients undergoing a procedure.

Please speak with your healthcare provider to make sure you have all of the information you need regarding testing requirements before your procedure if you are going to be admitted.

Patients undergoing a procedure who are staying overnight or will definitely need to be admitted should have either an:

• Antigen Test (this includes both home testing kits and laboratory based tests)
  This test must be taken the day before your procedure.
  
  Or
  
  
• PCR test
  This test must be taken two to five days before your procedure. Your surgeon or procedural doctor can help you obtain the correct test.
  

What do I do if my test result is negative or “not detected”?
If your test result indicates that you do not have COVID-19, you will be asked to sign a form verifying this when you arrive for your procedure.

What do I do if my test is positive?
If your test is positive (meaning you have COVID-19), please call your doctor’s office immediately. They will discuss next steps with you related to your procedure.

Questions?
You can find more information about preparing for your procedure by reaching out to your doctor’s office.

There are many reasons to get tested for the coronavirus. You may be experiencing one of the many COVID-19 symptoms, including:

• Fever
  
• Chills; repeated shaking with chills
  
• Cough
  
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  
• Fatigue
  
• Muscle aches
  
• Headache
  
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
  
• Sore throat
  
• Stuffy or runny nose
  
• Nausea and vomiting
  
• Diarrhea

Note: This is not a complete list of possible symptoms.

Some people may have no symptoms at all or have some, but not all of the symptoms.

Symptoms may develop within 2 to 14 days after you are exposed to the virus. Most often, symptoms appear around 5 days after exposure. However, you can spread the virus even when you do not have symptoms.

How to Get a COVID-19 Test

If you have life-threatening symptoms like severe shortness of breath, changes in mental status, severe dehydration, or other complications, dial 911.

If you have no symptoms but need a test, please contact your Primary Care Provider or find a New York State test site near you.

If you have a procedure scheduled at Mount Sinai South Nassau, please work directly with your physician to schedule your presurgical COVID-19 test.

If you are a Mount Sinai South Nassau employee, please contact Employee Health Services if you have COVID-19 symptoms.