UH Offers COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing for Local Organizations
University Hospitals is committed to helping keep our community safe and healthy. For this reason, we are now offering businesses, schools and other organizations the opportunity to host COVID-19 rapid antigen testing events at their location.
What is an Antigen Test? Is it the same as an Antibody Test?
An antigen test reveals if a person is currently infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Antigens are molecules in your blood (bacteria or viruses) that trigger the body’s immune system to produce antibodies to fight the foreign substance. The antibodies bind to the antigens and destroy it. Once the infection is gone, the antigens will also be gone. If antigens are present, it means the person is currently infected with COVID-19.
In comparison, an antibody test (blood test), can determine if a person has already had or been exposed to COVID-19. The antibody test is not used to diagnose current infection as it can take the body some time to produce antibodies.
How is an Antigen Test Done?
The person conducting the test will insert a long nasal swab into your nostril and swirl it around for about 10 seconds. The test may be uncomfortable but it is not painful. The sample is then analyzed for the presence of COVID-19 antigens. The test takes approximately 20 minutes from beginning to end.
The rapid, minimally invasive nature of the antigen test makes it an ideal method for testing large groups of people in corporate or community settings.
Schedule an Antigen Testing Event for Your Organization
University Hospitals will come to your organization on a day of your choice to provide your employees/members with the COVID-19 rapid antigen test. The time range for the event will be determined by the number of people being tested.
You may schedule a one-time event or multiple, ongoing surveillance events, spaced out as recommended by our clinical staff. Employee/member participation at these events may be voluntary or mandatory based on the event organizer’s preference.
For more information, or to schedule your event, contact Christina.Harper@UHhospitals.org.
Once your event date, time and location are finalized, you may download our customizable flyer to promote the event internally.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is eligible for testing?
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There are no age or health restrictions – everyone at your organization is eligible for testing. Each participant should bring a valid ID to their scheduled appointment.
- How much does it cost?
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University Hospitals will bill the organization $80 for each test. The fee covers all expenses including clinical staff, supplies, sample collection, analysis and results reporting.
- How do we set up for the event?
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You may choose to have the event take place at a designated space within your facility or UH can bring our Mobile Testing Unit to you.
If testing is conducted within your facility, you must provide the appropriate set-up including adequately spaced tables and chairs. We will provide more direction when you call to schedule your event.
If you elect to use the UH Mobile Testing Unit, we will require a large flat parking area close to the building with access to restrooms within the facility. We recommend that cones be set up the night before the event to keep the designated parking space free of cars. Our Unit uses a generator so you do not need to provide a power source.
- How do our employees/members schedule an appointment?
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Employees/members will use a dedicated scheduling link to schedule their appointment, allowing 10 minutes per appointment. The organization will need to set a deadline for signing-up and send us the final roster at least one week prior to the event date.
- How and when will participants receive their results?
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The test itself takes twenty minutes and individuals may return to work immediately after they have been swabbed. They will be notified of their results by the event organizer or, if they are a UH patient, they may view their results in their UH personal health record, Follow My Health. Results will usually be available on the same day as the testing. Employees who test positive will be advised to follow the current protocols established by the organization and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).