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THREAD: Today I was able to secure an appointment for COVID-19
testing in Indiana at the @LillyPad test center.
With my wife and I both experiencing some symptoms, we decided to get screened last night.
This is a thread about our experiences in the healthcare system. #COVID19
testing in Indiana at the @LillyPad test center.With my wife and I both experiencing some symptoms, we decided to get screened last night.
This is a thread about our experiences in the healthcare system. #COVID19
Also, follow along with my wifeâs perspective at this thread: https://twitter.com/lorileebyrd/status/1247708920015196161
My symptoms are mild, and I likely wouldnât even take off of work under normal circumstances with them. I only have sore throat and tiredness. Please donât worry about me!
However, my wife has other more traditional COVID-19 symptoms (aches, fever, cough). We are both asthmatic.
However, my wife has other more traditional COVID-19 symptoms (aches, fever, cough). We are both asthmatic.
At about 9 pm, she decided to try the free virtual screening offered by @IU_Health for Indiana residents. While a clunky UX, the app is relatively easy and the process is quick.
A nurse spoke with her and she received a âpositiveâ screening for COVID-19. https://iuhealth.org/news-hub/iu-health-virtual-clinic-offers-free-coronavirus-screening
A nurse spoke with her and she received a âpositiveâ screening for COVID-19. https://iuhealth.org/news-hub/iu-health-virtual-clinic-offers-free-coronavirus-screening
At this point, while my main symptom is only a painful sore throat, which felt more like strep (which I had recently), I decided to get screened as well.
On the basis of my limited symptoms, my wifeâs more traditional symptoms, and my asthma, I was also screened positive.
On the basis of my limited symptoms, my wifeâs more traditional symptoms, and my asthma, I was also screened positive.
This is where things start to get weird. 
What does a âpositiveâ screening from a qualified medical professional
get you? *Not* an order for a COVID-19 test.
Nurse tells us to quarantine and reads a laundry list of precautions to take. Notes are written for primary doctors.
What does a âpositiveâ screening from a qualified medical professional
get you? *Not* an order for a COVID-19 test.Nurse tells us to quarantine and reads a laundry list of precautions to take. Notes are written for primary doctors.
On the basis of the screening recommendation, we both wait until 8 am to call primary care offices to see about a doctorâs order for a COVID-19 test.
We each have doctors at different practices within @IU_Health. The offices have access to yesterdayâs virtual screening reports.
We each have doctors at different practices within @IU_Health. The offices have access to yesterdayâs virtual screening reports.
By 8:15 am weâd each spoken to a triage nurse in the doctorsâ offices. At 8:30, I missed a call, and after calling to spend 10 minutes in a phone tree and getting transferred to a hold, was asked if I am an essential worker.One word answer! (No.)
By 9:30 am, my doctor has submitted the order for a test, using the virtual screening results, all without even ever talking directly with my doctor at all.
I receive notice via the patient portal. My wifeâs story diverges here...
I receive notice via the patient portal. My wifeâs story diverges here...
While I begin working to set up a test, my wife got a call back from her doctorâs office asking her to do a video call with her doctor.
Note again that she actually has more severe symptoms than me, and my positive screening was largely because of my description of her symptoms.
Note again that she actually has more severe symptoms than me, and my positive screening was largely because of my description of her symptoms.
My wifeâs doctor decides to NOT order a test, despite the positive screening and symptoms described.
She says there is no need to waste a rest because she is symptomatic and should quarantine.
This calls into question all of the reporting on COVID-19 cases.
She says there is no need to waste a rest because she is symptomatic and should quarantine.
This calls into question all of the reporting on COVID-19 cases.
Itâs not just that tests are hard to find, but people are being refused testing for COVID-19 *because* they are symptomatic, and are going unreported!
And yet, testing is only available to the non-essential public if they are symptomatic! From @LillyPad:
http://www.info.lillycovid19testing.com/rt
And yet, testing is only available to the non-essential public if they are symptomatic! From @LillyPad:
http://www.info.lillycovid19testing.com/rt
Now I called the number to set up my own appointment.
On the phone was someone at @LillyPad very confused why I was calling, and, after 20 mins turned me away, even with a doctorâs order, saying only essential workers were being tested.
I now know thatâs completely wrong!
On the phone was someone at @LillyPad very confused why I was calling, and, after 20 mins turned me away, even with a doctorâs order, saying only essential workers were being tested.
I now know thatâs completely wrong!
This set off another hour of calls between my doctorâs office and myself, to figure out why we were being sent to @StateHealthIN instead of @LillyPad for testing.
Eventually, I just decided to call back again, and this time got someone else on the phone who was responsive.
Eventually, I just decided to call back again, and this time got someone else on the phone who was responsive.
Another 40 minutes on the phone, and I have a drive-up test scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
I will get tested, in case I am a mild/asymptotic carrier, but, again, my wife with more severe symptoms is not.
The instructions for COVID-19 tests also have serious implications.
I will get tested, in case I am a mild/asymptotic carrier, but, again, my wife with more severe symptoms is not.
The instructions for COVID-19 tests also have serious implications.
- You are not allowed to walk, bike, or Uber
- No entry is allowed without a charged cellphone, since they will use it to talk through a closed window
- The site is about 20 minutes drive from me
- There are no options given for date, time, or location. You get what you get.
- No entry is allowed without a charged cellphone, since they will use it to talk through a closed window
- The site is about 20 minutes drive from me
- There are no options given for date, time, or location. You get what you get.
This is the system âworkingâ.
What is the subset of COVID-19 carriers that have the info to follow this whole process, the means to actually drive/take off work/etc, arenât too ill to do hours of phone tag?
And then arenât turned away for arbitrary reasons even after all that?
What is the subset of COVID-19 carriers that have the info to follow this whole process, the means to actually drive/take off work/etc, arenât too ill to do hours of phone tag?
And then arenât turned away for arbitrary reasons even after all that?
By contrast, last month I got tested for strep.
I walked into a CVS with no appt, opened my mouth for a RN, and got the swab test, results, and antibiotics all in about 30 minutes, and I was on my way.
More updates to come.
I walked into a CVS with no appt, opened my mouth for a RN, and got the swab test, results, and antibiotics all in about 30 minutes, and I was on my way.
More updates to come.
