Page 50 - COVID-19 Inpatient Training Resources

Page 1 of 10

Nov. 4, 2020
Version 1
Prepared by: Dr. Larissa Matukas (Head, Division of Microbiology)

COVID-19 and Influenza Order sets

Table of Contents
Laboratory Testing for Influenza ................................................................................................. 1
Influenza Immunization and Unity Health Toronto’s annual flu campaign ................................ 1

Infection Control Precautions ..................................................................................................... 2
Updated COVID-19 virus detection orders ................................................................................. 2

Appendix A: St. Joseph’s Health Centre- Influenza and COVID-19 Sunrise Order Sets .......... 3
Appendix B: St. Michael’s Hospital- Influenza and COVID-19 Soarian Order Sets ................. 7

Laboratory Testing for Influenza
As per current influenza guidelines, patients in an ambulatory, outpatient setting do not require
laboratory confirmation and will not be offered flu testing. (Please note that patients with an
influenza-like illness that are ambulatory should still be sent for COVID-19 testing.)

However, this year, we are implementing a policy change on influenza testing for patients in
our Emergency Departments (ED). The change is that any patients in our EDs who meet the
criteria for respiratory illness (mild to severe) - and are receiving COVID-19 testing - should also
be tested for influenza. This applies whether the patient is going to be admitted or discharged.

The reason for this policy change is to improve workflow in our labs. As of Wednesday,
November 4, 2020 the microbiology laboratory at St. Michael’s Hospital will begin in-house
testing for influenza and COVID-19 simultaneously. The specimens from St. Joseph’s Health
Centre and Providence Healthcare will be sent to St. Michael’s for this dual testing. We have
introduced new electronic order sets to support this change at both St. Michael’s and St.
Joseph’s where applicable, and paper-based ordering will continue at Providence. See the
appendices below for screenshots of order entries and for more details on the process for St.
Joseph’s and St. Michael’s.

Influenza Immunization and Unity Health Toronto’s annual flu campaign
The Corporate Health, Safety and Wellness team launched the annual influenza vaccination
campaign across the network on Oct. 22. Vaccination is available at each site’s
Corporate/Occupational Health Department and through our travelling flu cart. Flu clinic
locations and hours of operation at each site can be found here. The travelling flu cart will be
visiting all off site locations. If you receive your vaccination outside of Unity Health, please bring
documentation of your vaccination to your respective site’s Corporate/Occupational Health
Department.