Complete Story
04/23/2020
PARRT (Post-Acute Regional Rapid Testing) Program
Call Center number: 888-344-9222
Hours of Operation:
7 days per week from 8 AM– 6 PM
What is the Post-Acute Regional Rapid Testing (PARRT) Program?
The Post-Acute Regional Rapid Testing (PARRT) Program offers COVID-19 testing in Franklin and contiguous counties within 24 hours of symptoms arising and operates seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A team of two technicians, including one skilled medical professional and an assistant, collects swabbed specimens at each site, then delivers samples securely packed in an ice chest to an Ohio Department of Health (ODH) lab that turns around results in approximately one day. The swab team, trained by The Ohio State University, is suited in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a fit-tested N-95 mask, face shield, gown, hair covering, shoe covers and gloves.
Why use the PARRT Program?
In just one week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded a 172% increase in the number of U.S. long-term care facilities that have at least one reported case of COVID-19. Without rapid preventative testing, the number of reported cases will continue to grow exponentially.
This innovative new testing protocol results in quicker care intervention for COVID-19 positive cases. A second benefit is contact assessment to determine additional testing needs, including subsequent care interventions and precautionary measures such as quarantine. The overarching goal is heightened infection prevention for impacted areas.
How to participate in the PARRT Program?
| The Facility Information Sheet contains a straightforward set of instructions. | |
| Your facility should fill out the Microbiology Specimen Submission Form prior to the arrival of the Swab Team. This form will be taken to the Ohio Department of Health with the swab sample. | |
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Post the Quick Information Sheet in your nurses station or other locations as it contains the Call Center number: 888-344-9222 Please note that, depending on the time of swab testing, the swab may not be able to be delivered to the testing center until the following morning. This may impact the timing of receiving results. |
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| Please see the Anticipatory Guidance for follow-up information after the swab team leaves your facility. |
Who created the PARRT Program?
National Church Residences, Central Ohio Geriatrics, Ohio Living and LeadingAge Ohio partnered to deliver rapid turnaround of COVID-19 testing for vulnerable seniors in post-acute settings, including nursing homes (skilled and long-term care) and assisted living facilities, in Franklin and its surrounding counties. The PARRT program launched in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Health, Franklin County Health Department and Columbus Health Department, with additional funding provided by The Columbus Foundation.