Mercy, MANA Health adapt responses to coronavirus outbreak

As the spread of the coronavirus continues to impact Northwest Arkansas, the Fort Smith metro and the rest of the state, regional healthcare providers are adapting responses for hospital protocol and doctor’s visits.

Mercy hospitals in Fort Smith and Rogers will open temporary triage space near their main emergency room entrances to provide help for those who think they may have COVID-19. The hospital said the extra level of triage also protects patients who visit the ER for unrelated issues.

Mercy said an initial triage nurse will assess the reason for a patient’s visit. If COVID-19 is suspected, the patient will be isolated from others and treated in that space. If the potential COVID-19 patients are more ill, they will be routed through a separate entrance to minimize exposure to the waiting room and other patients.

The provider said it also has set a goal to have 95% of visits happening virtually in the coming days to reduce exposure risk for patients and health care workers. Mercy also has set up dedicated clinics to keep those with suspected respiratory illnesses separate from other patients. The clinics are designed with the goal of protecting communities and allowing providers to continue to serve all patients seeking care.

In Fort Smith, there are two clinics designated to service patients with respiratory illnesses. Mercy Convenient Care clinics at 3505 S. 79th St., and at 1400 Zero St.

In Northwest Arkansas, patients must have a referral done through a virtual visit with their primary care physician at Mercy.

Patients with moderate to severe respiratory symptoms first will be seen in a drive-through clinic to assess their symptoms and get treatment. Those with more severe symptoms will be seen inside the clinic building, with a possible transfer to Mercy Hospital ER for patients with the most critical symptoms.

MANA Health Care in Northwest Arkansas has established a separate clinic that cares exclusively for patients who have a fever or respiratory symptoms. That clinic is located at 2523 East Huntsville Road in south Fayetteville. The clinic hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MANA tells its customers to call their primary care physician if they are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms: Fever of 100 degrees or greater, cough and shortness of breath.

The primary care doctor at MANA will assess symptoms and direct those needing further assessment to the dedicated clinic by appointment only.