MINNEAPOLIS (March 17 2020) — Working in concert with the Minnesota Department of Health and other health care providers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, Allina Health is making adjustments to our coronavirus (COVID-19) testing procedures to conserve resources for the most critically ill patients and for the safety of our staff.
This means that effective immediately, no outpatient testing for COVID-19 will be performed in Allina Health clinics, Urgent Cares, Everyday Clinics and Emergency Departments. Patients who require hospitalization may still be tested. In addition to the most critically ill, our health care providers will continue to have access to testing, if needed.
If you believe you need urgent clinical assessment for COVID-19, please continue to isolate yourself at home and complete our free online COVID-19 screening interview. It's available 24/7 and takes about 15 minutes to complete. An Allina Health Everyday Online provider will review your information and email you with next steps.
Allina Health is taking other steps to conserve resources and protect our staff. Those steps include:
Beginning today surgical and procedural leaders and surgeons are making decisions about which currently scheduled and future elective surgery cases will proceed and which cases will be canceled and rescheduled for a later time. It does NOT mean that all surgeries are being canceled. Impacted patients will be contacted about their specific situation. The surgical and various procedure area changes will affect all of our facilities across Allina Health.
Allina Health remains focused on all aspects of the response in the communities we serve and are making changes as the situation continues to rapidly evolve. Our priority remains keeping our staff and patients safe. While we understand that these changes may be challenging to the public, we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that we can protect our staff and safely provide care for all those who need it. Flattening the curve by practicing good hygiene and social distancing, including staying home as much as possible remains the best response that we have to preserve our resources for those who need it the most. Our continued promise is to update our staff and patients on the latest information as it becomes available.
Allina Health is dedicated to the prevention and treatment of illness and enhancing the greater health of individuals, families and communities throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A not-for-profit health care system, Allina Health cares for patients from beginning to end-of-life through its 90+ clinics, 10 hospitals / 13 campuses, 15 retail pharmacies, and many specialty care centers and specialty medical services, home care, and emergency medical transportation services.