Aurora Health Care has stopped testing patients for COVID-19 prior to certain medical procedures. The medical group said it's facing a shortage of tests. One patient reached out to WISN 12 News Investigates, saying he's concerned for his safety. Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin"I have COPD. Ive got asthma. I've got heart disease," Alan Hensley said. That's why Hensley considered it important to get checked for COVID-19 prior to a procedure to test for colon cancer.But, as he told WISN 12 News Derrick Rose, he was surprised when his doctor at Aurora Saint Luke's told him they couldnt test him for coronavirus because "we dont have enough testing kits."That's when Hensley contacted WISN 12 News Investigates.Aurora confirmed the shortage, saying it's because their suppliers have redirected tests to other hot spots nationally.As a result, Aurora facilities around Milwaukee have stopped doing COVID-19 tests prior to certain procedures."That makes me even more scared of having the procedure done," Hensley said. "Is it safe for a patient to come in now, knowing they're not going to be getting that COVID-19 test?" WISN 12 News reporter Kent Wainscott asked the chief Aurora Medical Group officer."I'd say in the situations we've created, yes," Dr. Jeff Bahr said. Aurora said it will eliminate testing only for procedures believed to pose a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission and will increase other safety protocols.The testing shortage has also meant a change in location for the hospitals' community test sites, consolidating all of them into one location at Aurora Sinai in downtown Milwaukee. But it's the reduction of preprocedure testing that's raising concerns."Doesn't scaling back on testing increase the risk for patients and staff?" Wainscott asked. "It could if it were done inappropriately, but I don't believe that's the case here," Bahr said. But Hensley is not convinced."They can't test us because they don't have enough testing? That's not right. That's not fair," Hensley said. WISN 12 News also contacted both Froedtert Hospital and the Ascension Medical Group. Both said they have a sufficient supply of COVID-19 tests and are continuing to do testing prior to medical procedures at all of their facilities across the area.Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISNGet breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Aurora Health Care has stopped testing patients for COVID-19 prior to certain medical procedures. The medical group said it's facing a shortage of tests.

One patient reached out to WISN 12 News Investigates, saying he's concerned for his safety.

Continuing Coverage: Coronavirus in Wisconsin

"I have COPD. Ive got asthma. I've got heart disease," Alan Hensley said.

That's why Hensley considered it important to get checked for COVID-19 prior to a procedure to test for colon cancer.

But, as he told WISN 12 News Derrick Rose, he was surprised when his doctor at Aurora Saint Luke's told him they couldnt test him for coronavirus because "we dont have enough testing kits."

That's when Hensley contacted WISN 12 News Investigates.

Aurora confirmed the shortage, saying it's because their suppliers have redirected tests to other hot spots nationally.

As a result, Aurora facilities around Milwaukee have stopped doing COVID-19 tests prior to certain procedures.

"That makes me even more scared of having the procedure done," Hensley said.

"Is it safe for a patient to come in now, knowing they're not going to be getting that COVID-19 test?" WISN 12 News reporter Kent Wainscott asked the chief Aurora Medical Group officer.

"I'd say in the situations we've created, yes," Dr. Jeff Bahr said.

Aurora said it will eliminate testing only for procedures believed to pose a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission and will increase other safety protocols.

The testing shortage has also meant a change in location for the hospitals' community test sites, consolidating all of them into one location at Aurora Sinai in downtown Milwaukee.

But it's the reduction of preprocedure testing that's raising concerns.

"Doesn't scaling back on testing increase the risk for patients and staff?" Wainscott asked.

"It could if it were done inappropriately, but I don't believe that's the case here," Bahr said.

But Hensley is not convinced.

"They can't test us because they don't have enough testing? That's not right. That's not fair," Hensley said.

WISN 12 News also contacted both Froedtert Hospital and the Ascension Medical Group.

Both said they have a sufficient supply of COVID-19 tests and are continuing to do testing prior to medical procedures at all of their facilities across the area.

Sign up for coronavirus email alerts from WISN

Get breaking news alerts with the WISN 12 app.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Aurora Health Care has shortage of coronavirus testing kits - WISN Milwaukee