Multiple Treasure Valley hospitals, urgent care now offering drive-up coronavirus screenings
Saint Alphonsus Health System announced Wednesday that it will now have a drive-up screening center in Meridian for patients who believe they have the coronavirus. St. Luke’s is also doing drive-up testing at certain locations in the Treasure Valley.
Saltzer Health’s two Nampa locations are also offering curbside coronavirus screening.
The medical centers also implemented more regulations on visitors and walk-in patients.
As of Thursday morning, the state was still reporting that Idaho had 11 patients in five counties who tested positive for the coronavirus. Coronavirus is the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.
Drive-up screening
Saint Alphonsus is now offering COVID-19 assessments at the Meridian Health Plaza, at 3025 W. Cherry Lane, according to the a news release. The respiratory screening will be available every day, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Meridian location.
“If a patient arrives at a screening location but does not meet the criteria for testing, they will be provided education on virus prevention and risk factors,” according to the news release.
“We are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on testing; patients are asked about symptoms, their travel history and contact with people who may have been exposed or are infected with the virus,” said Saint Al’s spokesman Mark Snider on Thursday. “Our nurses are also conducting flu and strep screenings to determine if the patients have other medical issues.”
More assessment locations in Boise, Nampa and Fruitland are under consideration, and Saint Alphonsus will announcement those drive-up locations later
St. Luke’s is also offering drive-up screenings for the coronavirus at its Meridian and Ketchum locations. St. Luke’s Boise location opened for this kind of testing Thursday.
From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saltzer Health’s Nampa facilities, at 9850 W. St. Luke’s Drive and 215 E. Hawaii Ave., are also offering curbside COVID-19 screening.
Saltzer is also follow the CDC guidelines on who should be tested for the virus.
COVID-19 hotline and online appointments
Saint Alphonsus has also set up a COVID-19 hotline that patients can call at 208-302-2683.
Nurses will provide answers on symptoms, screening locations, risk factors, prevention and more, according to the the health system’s news release. The hotline will be answered every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Patients are encouraged to seek health care for mild conditions using the MyeVisit online urgent care – a service staffed by Saint Alphonsus healthcare providers.
MyeVisit allows patients to use a virtual visit from home using a computer, smartphone or tablet. To learn more, patients may set up an account, or to log in, visit www.myevisit.org.
Visitor options
Visitors options at Saint Alphonsus Health System hospitals in Boise, Nampa, Ontario and Baker City are also changing, with exceptions only for certain groups.
Effective immediately, and until further notice, all routine visiting will be suspended at Saint Alphonsus hospital campuses. Exceptions have been made for certain patient groups, including:
- Pediatrics
- Maternity for the birth of a child
- Neonatal intensive care unit
- Critically ill patients in intensive care unit
- Certified medical interpreters needed to help a patient communicate with healthcare workers
- End-of-life care
Visitors admitted to Saint Alphonsus facilities will need to meet the following guidelines:
- Visitors with respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, congestion, or a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be provided a mask and asked to return home or seek medical attention
- One visitor per patient at a time
- No visitors younger than age 18
- No visitors are allowed in who are actively sick
The Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise will no longer offer valet parking services. The hospital will have a shuttle service available to transport patients from the parking lots.
The use of the cafeteria facilities at all Saint Alphonsus hospitals will be limited to colleagues and approved visitors, according to the press release.
Families are encouraged to connect with patients by phone or the use of other technology, such as FaceTime or Skype.
“Saint Alphonsus understands that these changes will represent a significant hardship for patients and families and does not take this decision lightly,” it said in a news release. “However, as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, the health system appreciates the understanding of its patients, their families and our community to reduce the risk to others.”
Non-emergency surgeries are postponed
Saint Alphonsus has made the decision to postpone all non-emergency surgeries, following the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of Wednesday evening, all elective and non-emergent surgeries and invasive procedures are postponed until further notice.
“All these actions are being implemented out of an abundance of caution to ensure access to critical resources required for the care of all patients in our facilities,” according to Saint Alphonsus. “It is necessary to protect patients, hospital staff and visitors from acquiring or transmitting COVID-19 while under our care.”
Because elective surgeries have been canceled, Boise Anesthesia Physician Associates said Tuesday that it had to layoff 53 employees. The practice’s doctors and nurse anesthetists aren’t directly employed by the hospitals. So, it relies on the hospital doing surgeries and other procedures to make money.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 8:09 AM.
