St. Luke Convenient Care Adjusts in Challenging Times

September 12, 2020

During these challenging times, St. Luke Community Healthcare continues to adapt and respond to the changing healthcare needs of our community. At our Convenient Care Clinic,  located adjacent to the Emergency Department, services have been adapted from a walk-in care model to a curb-side system, allowing patients to be safely screened and directed to the appropriate level of care. In some cases, that care can be provided without you having to leave your vehicle.

All patients are screened for potential COVID-19 symptoms upon arriving, with signs posted to help with traffic flow and registration. Patients are asked to bring photo ID and their insurance information, to help the registration process run smoothly and efficiently. St. Luke medical staff will assess your care needs and assist you outside or direct you to a different care area for further treatment.

In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency and to meet the immediate health needs of our community, we are offering “curbside” COVID-19 virus testing. With curbside care, patients can be assessed and treated by a medical provider from the safety of their vehicle. The tests are administered to eligible individuals who are experiencing fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, chest heaviness, and other flu-like symptoms. Testing is also suitable for individuals who think they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19; potentially exposed healthcare workers; and those who need clearance to return to work.

While COVID-19 is a frequent reason patients present to Convenient Care at the moment, St. Luke continues to treat our general patient population for other, every-day ailments or minor emergencies.

This includes:

• cold and flu symptoms
• earaches
• minor eye injuries
• allergies; infection
• minor breathing issues
• mild dehydration
• cuts, scrapes, and stitches
• sprains, strains, or broken bones

Ample safety measures have been put into place, allowing those who need to be seen for any medical concern to feel comfortable doing so.

St. Luke Convenient Care is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you would like to discuss your medical concern over the phone prior to coming in, please feel free to contact our Nurse on Call, available 24/7, at (406) 676-3737. Minor emergencies still
require major attention and the team at St. Luke recognizes that; we remain ready and available to help you recover not only quickly, but completely!

Learn more about Convenient Care and the other healthcare services St. Luke provides at:
www.stlukehealthcare.org/convenient-care.