Guidelines COVID-19
LABHOH Medical Microbiology has two different PCR tests to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
- Regular COVID-19 PCR (on the order form LABHOH MMB mentions “COVID-19 PCR”). Order forms can be used for clinical, outpatient, general practitioner, and other patients. The collected sample must be placed in a “Bio-hazard” bag. Each sample should have a completely filled order form and be handed in at the central office of the laboratory. For all the samples handed in before 11:00 in the morning, the requesting physician/medical specialist will obtain results within 24 hours.
- Urgent (SPOED) COVID-19 PCR (on the request form LABHOH MMB mentions “URGENT COVID-19 PCR”). This PCR test is more expensive than the regular COVID-19 PCR. After the sample is handed in at the central office of the laboratory, the results will be available within 2 hours during office hours.
Outside office hours, consult with the clinical microbiologist on duty about the options.
Please only request the “URGENT COVID-19 PCR” in the following cases:
- If there is no medical history of COVID-19 and the patient has to undergo a medical procedure.
- There is an acute shortage of beds for COVID-suspected patients on B3.
- The patient must be urgently flown out of the country and a “COVID-free” statement is required.
- Due to a decreased capacity in the Horacio Oduber Hospital, the patient should be transferred to another healthcare institute where a “COVID-free” statement is required.
Given that the number of “URGENT COVID-19 PCR” tests available worldwide is limited and the costs are high, please understand the limitations of using urgent PCR.
For further information, please contact the on-duty clinical microbiologist at LABHOH. (DUTCH)
