Rapid COVID-19 Testing
Kingwood Emergency Hospital offers Rapid COVID-19 Testing 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Emergency use authorized, in-house test is performed with a single swab.
COVID-19 Test Comparison
| Test Type | Overview |
|---|---|
Rapid PCR Test | Results: 1-Hour Emergency use authorized, in-house PCR test is performed with a single swab. This test is designed to detect the virus that causes COVID-19 in addition to pathogens causing 22 different viral and bacterial respiratory infections including other coronaviruses and influenza strains. This test is 97.1% sensitive (if it is negative, it is 97.1% accurate). |
Rapid Viral Antigen | Results: ~15 Min. Available upon request. Performed with a nasal swab. This test is designed to detect the virus that causes COVID-19. When performed within 7 days of symptom onset, this test has 96.7% PPA*. If the test result is negative, there is small a chance that a true positive is overlooked by the test. |
COVID-19 Self-Test | Availability: No Results: Varies Pros: Can be performed at home. May be purchased at convenient locations other than healthcare facilities. Cons: May not be covered by insurance - verify before purchase. This test will only detect COVID-19 in individuals showing significant symptoms. It is not intended for asymptomatic individuals. It is not designed to test for other common respiratory illnesses. Test results may be inaccurate if the specimen is handled improperly. Lacks the supervision and guidance of qualified healthcare personnel. This test is 84.1 percent accurate. |
COVID-19 Update
JANUARY 2022 UPDATE
Kingwood Emergency Hospital has invested in state-of-the-art testing, with Nobel Prize winning science that revolutionized chemistry to provide the fastest known testing for COVID-19 and many other respiratory and early-stage infections. RT-PCR (Rapid Test Polymerase Chain Reaction) is the equivalent of molecular photocopying to amplify small segments of DNA to get answers fast for patients and families needing answers. All this is done in our on-site laboratory with results in as soon as an hour.
Another thing you should know, is we are staffed with heroes. Our Board-Certified ER Physicians and Nurses have spent the last year waging the pandemic war for you, to hold the line against COVID. They never give up and are here to encourage you. We know healthcare emergencies are frightening and the care and compassion you will find in our people are a game-changer for healthcare.
We are approachable. If you have questions or need answers to help you make decisions, we encourage you to express your feelings to everyone from our front desk staff to our CEO – we are all ears and we are all dialed into creating the same level of comfort and care equally for every person.
We are fortunate to be where we are in the local community. We get to make a difference and we never forget that. Yes, our hospital is a hospital, but we are proud to offer extraordinary world-class medical care in a place that feels like home. Our mission is to change the face of emergency care for every individual who enters our doors.
Here is the number you’ll want to keep handy should you need us before, during or after your stay 832-777-6165.
COVID-19 Test FAQ
What is a COVID-19 Viral Test?
A viral test tells you if you have a current infection. There are different types of viral tests, including:
Antigen Detection Test
Viral antigens develop on the surface of cells infected with a specific virus. A viral antigen detection test is done on a sample of tissue that might be infected. Specially tagged (with dye or a tracer) antibodies that attach to those viral antigens are mixed with the sample. The tagged antibodies can be seen by using a special light (or other method). If the tagged antibodies are attached to the cells, the cells are infected with the virus.
Viral Molecular Detection Test
Using a sample of tissue or blood or other fluid, the test looks for the genetic material (DNA or RNA) of a specific virus. This test can show the exact virus causing an infection.
What is a COVID-19 Antibody Test?
An Antibody tests tells you if you had a previous infection. An antibody test may not be able to show if you have a current infection, because it can take 1-3 weeks after infection to make antibodies. We do not know yet if having antibodies to the virus can protect someone from getting infected with the virus again, or how long that protection might last.
What advice does the CDC offer regarding COVID-19 testing?
If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or you are a resident in a community where there is ongoing spread of COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and your exposure. They will decide whether you need to be tested, but keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill may be able to isolate and care for themselves at home.
If your doctor sees that you meet the requirements for testing be sure to wear a mask, cover your coughs and sneezes, and frequently clean your hands on your way to be tested. If you experience severe pain, shortness of breath, or chest pain, you need to seek emergency care. See more symptoms here. For more information visit: CDC COVID-19 TESTING ADVICE.
What does “FDA-Authorized” mean?
How Coronavirus Tests May Be Authorized
Americans rely on the FDA to provide an independent review of medical products, such as drugs, diagnostic tests, and other medical devices. During a public health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for products to diagnose, treat, or prevent a medical threat. There are three ways a coronavirus test might be used for this emergency:
- Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
In certain types of emergencies, the FDA can issue an Emergency Use Authorization, or EUA, to provide more timely access to critical medical products that may help during the emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available options. The EUA process is different than full approval or clearance because in some emergency situations we cannot wait for all of the evidence needed for full FDA approval or clearance. Instead, the FDA evaluates the options very quickly using the evidence that is available, carefully balancing the risks and benefits of the product as we know them, in addition to evaluating other criteria. - Lab Developed Test (LDT)
A laboratory-developed test (LDT) is an in vitro (or laboratory) diagnostic test that is manufactured by and used within a single laboratory. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulates all laboratory testing (except research) performed on humans in the U.S. through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The FDA is providing flexibility to certain labs certified under CLIA to run high-complexity tests during the COVID-19 emergency. The FDA is providing flexibility for labs that develop and perform their own coronavirus testing where the lab validates the test, notifies FDA, and submits the validation data to the FDA within a certain timeframe as part of a EUA request. While many labs purchased commercial tests under an existing EUA, other labs developed and validated their own tests under this temporary policy. - State Authorization
The FDA is providing flexibility to states who want to authorize labs certified to conduct high-complexity tests in that state to develop and perform coronavirus testing. Under this policy, the state or territory takes responsibility for the safety and accuracy of COVID-19 testing by laboratories in its state/territory and the lab does not submit a EUA request to the FDA.
This information has been provided by the FDA
Contact Us
For more testing information, please call 832-777-6165
We have implemented a specific protocol for our staff and for patient visits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These steps range from keeping our Emergency Center clean on the hour every hour, to private isolated rooms for respiratory patients. This allows us to minimize exposure to and transmission of all viruses, especially COVID-19. Our staff is equipped with PPE, masks, and enforced to practice hand hygiene.
Pursuant to section 6001 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “FFCRA”) as amended by Sections 3201 and 3202 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) specifically as the foregoing relate to the provision and reimbursement of orders for and or administration of SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 (collectively, “COVID-19) in vitro diagnostic tests (including serological tests used to detect COVID-19 antibodies) as well as the provision and reimbursement of items and services furnished to individuals during visits that result in an order for, or administration of a COVID-19 in vitro diagnostic test(s) and or the provision and reimbursement of services related to the evaluation of such individuals by the attending healthcare provider for purposes of determining the need for the product or service in question, the following are the lists by provider of CPT codes and associated cash prices required by section 3202 (b) of the CARES Act related to the foregoing COVID-19 in vitro diagnostic testing services as well as said related items and services.
Covid-19 (SARS-Cov-2) Rapid Antigen by nasopharyngeal swab – Cash Price $350
We know that many members of our community are suffering financial hardships during this time. Discounts may be available depending on your circumstances. Please discuss this with a member of our registration team at the facility.
Click here to review our prices.