By Box Butte General Hospital
Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) offers specimen collection for COVID-19.
What is the difference between specimen collection versus actual testing for COVID-19? Specimen collection is what local hospitals, like BBGH, are doing. Single nasopharyngeal swabs are used to collect the specimen from the patient. Testing for COVID-19 is where an approved laboratory runs the swab specimen to determine whether the patient is positive or negative for COVID-19.
Once clinicians receive approval from the local health department, personnel at BBGH work with the patient to schedule a specimen collection at BBGH. All swab specimens are sent by courier daily to the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory in Omaha for testing. Currently all testing in Nebraska is being done in eastern Nebraska through public and commercial labs. Results for tests are returned between 24 and 72 hours to the local health department and BBGH.
Should you be tested or seek care?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report not everyone needs to be tested for COVID-19. Most people have a mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. There is no treatment approved for people who have tested positive for COVID-19.
The CDC offers guidance for who should be tested with a focus on symptoms of fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath. Decisions for Box Butte County residents about testing are at the discretion of Panhandle Public Health District in partner with local individual clinicians.
If any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 develop, get medical attention immediately:
Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Blush lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are sever or concerning to you.
Call 911 if you have a medical emergency. Notify the operator that you may have COVID-19. If available, put a cloth face covering or mask on before medical help arrives.
Greater Nebraska Medical and Surgical Services in Alliance is open to answer your questions about COVID-19 and available for all your healthcare needs. Both face to face and telehealth visits are offered. Call the clinic at (308) 762- 7244 to schedule an appointment.
BBGH staff are available to answer additional questions about COVID-19 testing, please call the hospital at (308) 762- 6660.
Box Butte General Hospital closely monitors the CDC guidelines and is working with Nebraska’s state epidemiologist and other public health experts regarding care of patients. Please continue to watch our website for updates at www.bbgh.org.
For more information, please follow these links:
https://www.bbgh.org/covid-19-information-resources/page.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/priority-testing-patients.pdf