Acute Testing Visits
To Our Valued Patients,
With the upcoming fall allergy and respiratory viral season upon us we wanted to provide a way to evaluate patients safely and effectively. We are excited to announce that starting Tuesday, September 1st we will be offering Acute Testing Visits for our patients. They will be scheduled telemedicine appointments but the visit will be done from the main parking lot of our office building.
How Acute Testing Visits Work
At your home, before arriving to our parking lot, please take your temperature/oxygen level/peak flow/blood pressure (vitals) if available to tell the provider. Make sure to be in our parking lot 5-10 minutes before your appointment time and the provider will send you a link via text message, allowing you to connect to your telemedicine visit. (It must be a smart phone with video/audio). The provider will get a full history, your vitals that you are able to provide, your make and model of car, etc and discuss which tests will need to be done. After the provider has seen you (via telemedicine) and determined which tests are needed, you will be directed to drive to the back of our building on Ash Street, near the parking garage. (Please see attached map labeled with “Testing Site”). One of our nurses will come out of the parking garage to collect the specimen(s) while you are in your car. After it has been collected, you may leave if you wish. The results will come back in 15 minutes or less. The provider will call you on the phone with your results and final plan. You do not have to wait in the parking lot for your results.
The Acute Testing Visit hours are as follows
- Monday 8:30am-11am
- Tuesday 1:30pm-4pm
- Wednesday 8:30am-11am
- Thursday 2:30-5pm
- Friday 8:30am-11am
All of our testing gives results in 15 minutes or less.
Currently available tests (for current patients only)
- Rapid SARS-CoV-2
- Antigen test (COVID19)
- Rapid Strep test
- Rapid Flu test Rapid
- RSV test Nasal smear (checks for allergy cells vs infection fighting cells)
Of note, the COVID-19 antigen test that we have is currently approved with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA for use only as a diagnostic test on symptomatic persons within the first five days of symptom onset. Because this antigen test can produce false negative results, it is considered less sensitive compared to the PCR test, which is the current gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19. We currently have the ability to order the COVID-19 PCR test offsite through Advent Health but the turnaround times vary from 24-48 hours and it cannot be performed during an Acute Testing Visit at our office; your provider will determine if the PCR test is indicated.
We will continue to offer sick visits via telemedicine (without testing) throughout the day with our Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistant throughout the week.
Flu Vaccine Information
When available, beginning Tuesday, September 8th, we will be administering flu shots during in-office appointments, call ahead allergy shot injections, and during the following call ahead/flu shot times.
- Monday: 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
- Tuesday: 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
- Wednesday: 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
- Thursday: 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm
- Friday: 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Non-patients/family members of patients can utilize the call ahead flu shot times. You must call ahead to ensure that we have the flu vaccine in stock and to confirm what time you will be coming in if utilizing the call ahead/flu shot times. The COVID screening questionnaire should be reviewed before coming (found on our website at www.allergycarekc.com) and if you have any “yes” responses then please refrain from coming to our office at that time.
Please continue to wear a mask when present in our office. Thank you for your understanding during these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
The Staff at Allergy & Asthma Care, PA
