Mercy, Baptist Health add services and beds in Fort Smith area in response to COVID surge

As new COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the state, Fort Smith area health providers continue to seek more ways to serve patients and keep the public safe, including a clinic focused on those with COVID symptoms and more beds in Van Buren.

Arkansas has 23,788 active cases as of Wednesday (Aug. 18), according to the Arkansas Department of Health COVID-19 Dashboard. Of those active cases, 84.8% are unvaccinated. The dashboard reported 1,372 positive case hospital admissions in the state, 91.9% of whom are unvaccinated. There are 182 hospitalized in the Arkansas Valley Hospital Association area, which includes Crawford and Sebastian County. Of those hospitalized area COVID patients, 36 are in intensive care and 24 are on ventilators.

Mercy Fort Smith announced Wednesday it has opened a clinic focused solely on the treatment of COVID-19 patients and people with symptoms of the illness. Mercy Clinic COVID Care – Fort Smith, located at the former Convenient Care clinic at Mercy Tower West, 6801 Rogers Ave. in Fort Smith, is open 3 to 9 p.m. six days a week and is available to walk-ins only (no appointments needed). Patients do not need to be established with Mercy to utilize the clinic, which is closed on Thursdays.

“Mercy set up this dedicated clinic to keep those with COVID-19-related symptoms, including moderate to severe respiratory illnesses, separate from other patients. The clinic was designed with the goal of protecting the community and allowing Mercy to continue to serve all patients seeking care,” a news release said.

Those with acute symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, tiredness, aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, or rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes, are asked to utilize the clinic. Those with severe symptoms including difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure or loss of speech or movement should seek immediate medical attention at the closest emergency room, the news release said.

“COVID-19 testing and other diagnostic processes such as testing for strep throat and influenza will be used to diagnose and treat patients at Mercy Clinic COVID Care – Fort Smith. Patients will be evaluated by a physician or advanced practice nurse, who will create a treatment plan for each patient following a diagnosis.”

Masking and social distancing are required at Mercy Clinic COVID Care – Fort Smith, as well as at all other Mercy facilities. Patients are allowed to have one person accompany them during each appointment.

On Aug. 4, a state panel endorsed the state Department of Health’s request for $37.68 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to partner with Baptist Health to increase hospital bed capacity and staffing for covid-19 cases. According to Arkansas Health Secretary Jose Romero, that funding will help Baptist Health provide 157 additional staffed covid-19 beds in the state, plus the nursing and ancillary support personnel and supplies to care for the patients in these beds.

Under this proposal, Baptist Health in Little Rock will provide 50 more staffed medical COVID beds and Baptist Health in Van Buren will provide 74 more staffed medical COVID beds. The Little Rock hospital will provide 12 more staffed intensive care unit COVID beds and Baptist Health in Fort Smith will provide 21 more staffed intensive care unit COVID beds, he said.
Both Mery Fort Smith and Baptist-Fort Smith offer COVID testing.

Anyone experiencing COVID symptoms can schedule a test with Mercy by calling (479) 573-3939. COVID testing is at Mercy Convenient Care – 79th Street, 3505 79th St. in Fort Smith. COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available by visiting mercy.net/FSMVaccine or calling 833-364-6777.

Baptist-Fort Smith Urgent Care facilities in Fort Smith also offer testing. Patients can call from the parking lot. For the 7600 Rogers Ave. site, call (479) 226-8340. For the 1910 Zero St. site, call (479) 259-9239. Vaccines are also available at both urgent care facilities.