Do I have to be tested for COVID-19?
Having COVID-19 can affect your recovery. People may be sick and infect others without appearing sick.
For your safety, we test everyone before admitting them to the hospital. This includes birthing mothers. We also test patients before scheduled surgery or procedures using general anesthesia.
A swab test is the best way to tell if someone has the virus that causes COVID-19. It detects genetic material from the virus. The test cannot tell if someone is immune to the illness or can make others sick.
We collect samples in 1 of 3 ways:
- A swab inside both nostrils
- A swab through one nostril to the palate above the roof of the mouth
- A swab through the mouth to the back of the throat
The doctor and patient together will choose which method is used.
Vanderbilt Health currently only provides COVID-19 testing for our patients with symptoms or those without symptoms who are required to be tested before a scheduled surgery or procedure at VUMC.
