Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In light of new developments around the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has recently released a recommendation that citizens wear cloth masks in public settings. As a result, Jefferson is asking patients and visitors to our hospitals, outpatient practices and other care facilities, to adhere to the following guidelines:

Inpatients and Visitors

• All inpatients will be given masks to wear and will be advised that they should wear them any time they have contact with anyone in the hospital who enters their rooms, and at all times when leaving their rooms.
• All patient visitors will be encouraged to bring and wear their own masks, in an effort to help our health system maintain critical mask supplies. 
• Masks will be provided if visitors are unable to bring their own.

Outpatients

• All patients scheduled for outpatient appointments or procedures will be contacted prior to their visits and advised about our mask guidelines. They, along with caregivers accompanying them, will be encouraged to bring and wear their own masks, in an effort to help our health system maintain critical mask supplies.
• Masks will be provided to patients and caregivers if they are unable to bring their own. 

In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, visitors will not be permitted to see patients at Jefferson Hospitals*. Exceptions may be made, but visitors will need to discuss special considerations with their patients’ care teams.

We are working hard to protect patients, their loved ones and our caregivers and understand the hardship these restrictions impose. Jefferson appreciates your understanding as we act in the best interest of all our patients, families and the community at large.

We will regularly re-evaluate these visitor restrictions as we receive updates about COVID-19. Thank you.

*Jefferson will allow one visitor for special circumstances such as in cases of informed consent or discharge support, maternity and labor & delivery, and family meetings. In end-of-life situations Jefferson will allow loved ones to visit with patients. Based on circumstances, ICU care providers will make judgment calls about family visitation for critical care patients. This may include allowing two visitors, however, guidelines may differ at each Jefferson facility and are subject to change.

At Jefferson Health, the health and safety of our patients and staff is our top priority. Given the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus), we are taking every precaution to help prevent the potential spread of this virus in our region. With this in mind, our outpatient practices are offering the following guidelines:

If you meet the below screening criteria and would like to speak with a physician immediately for further evaluation, please leverage our JeffConnect platform. Should the JeffConnect provider determine a COVID-19 test is necessary, we have outpatient testing centers available throughout the region.

Current Screening Criteria:

• Have you traveled internationally in the past 14 days?
• Do you have any of the following symptoms?
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of Breath

All of our outpatient practices remain open for patient care. Patients with known risk factors are advised to consider converting upcoming office visits to telehealth visits. If you would like to explore this option, please call 1-800-JEFF-NOW or contact your provider’s office directly.

Risk factors are currently defined as:

• Patients 60 years of age and above
• Patients with known cardiac and pulmonary conditions
• Patients with Upper Respiratory Infection symptoms, including, but not limited to:
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Shortness of Breath 

If you have an upcoming visit, please pre-register through the MyChart Patient Portal prior to coming into the office. You can also call you provider’s office directly and schedule a video appointment. Learn more about our telehealth services.

Mobile-testing sites for COVID-19 are open at all major Jefferson locations, throughout Abington, Northeast Philadelphia and New Jersey.

Jefferson patients with physician-ordered COVID-19 tests can either walk or drive up to the sites, which are designed to control infection and and limit symptomatic (non-emergent) patients from entering enclosed care spaces such as crowded emergency rooms.

A set of five rules greets those who approach the Center City testing site: place mask over face, remain six feet apart, do not approach providers, follow the waiting-line path and medical staff will direct you when it’s your turn.

The mobile COVID-19 testing centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours will likely expand so check back for updates. For additional information regarding Jefferson's mobile testing, including rules for arriving at testing centers, read more.

Retroactive to March 18, 2020, and consistent with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, health plans are to provide coverage, without member cost-sharing requirements, for any COVID-19 diagnostic testing and certain directly related items and services.  Please note that federal guidance about these new laws was issued mid-April, so if you believe your COVID-19-related claim was incorrectly processed, please contact your plan’s Member Services to have your claim reprocessed. The test price is $128.

If you have been tested for COVID-19, the results may take between 3-5 days. The results of your test may return in your Jefferson MyChart or patient portal account and you will be contacted by a member of the Jefferson Health team for further discussion. 

Until you are contacted by a Jefferson Health team member regarding your results, you should practice the following precautions, including: 

• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. 
• Avoid sharing personal household items. 
• Clean your hands often. 
• Clean all "high-touch" surfaces. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze. 
• Stay home except to get medical care. 
• Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (difficulty breathing, shortness of breath). 
• Put on a face mask before you enter the healthcare facility. 

Do not contact the emergency department or Jefferson outpatient clinics for the results of the test. If your test result has not returned after 5 days, you may contact your Jefferson health provider’s office for further guidance.

• What is COVID-19?
• What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary
• How COVID-19 Spreads
• COVID-19 Symptoms
• Prevention and Treatment
• What to Do If You Are Sick with COVID-19
• Traveling Amidst COVID-19 Outbreak
• Pregnant Women and Children

• Resources for Households
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
• Interim Guidance: Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for COVID-19

• Information for Healthcare Professionals
• Resources for Healthcare Facilities

If you're looking to help with donations, we are currently accepting medical supplies and tax deductible monetary donations. Find out more:

Coronavirus Medical Supply Donation

Blood donations are not only safe, but necessary at this time. If you are eligible to donate, you can sign up here: 

Jefferson Blood Donation Center

The Jefferson Blood Donor Center in Philadelphia, PA is seeking plasma donation from people who have fully recovered from COVID-19 infection. Find out if you are eligible: 

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