Washington County Hospital and Clinics opening respiratory triage unit

WASHINGTON - The Washington County Hospital and Clinics has implemented a respiratory triage clinic in an attempt to address the community spread of coronavirus.

The clinic will be only for individuals who have respiratory related discomfort when calling in for an appointment, according to a news release from the hospital. The clinic will be located at the current medical clinic, 444 East Polk Street.

Those who need to be seen at the triage clinic will be required to stay in their vehicles until a staff member approaches them with instructions, the release states. Evaluation may be done at the patient's vehicle.

The Saturday Morning Clinic will not accept walk-in appointments at this time and until further notice, patients are asked to call and schedule a primary care visit. All patients will be prescreened to determine if they need to be seen at the Family Medicine Clinic at 1230 South Iowa Avenue or the or the Respiratory Triage Clinic, according to the release.

Hospital staff are following guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and urge anyone who is sick to stay at home and monitor symptoms. Creating a 'sick room” for those who are self isolating is advised.

'During your isolation, get rest and stay hydrated. To return to work or outside activities you should be symptom free (including all initial symptoms) for a minimum of 72 hours, 3 full days without use of medicine to reduce your fever. A minimum of 7 days should also have passed since your symptoms first appeared before you discontinue home isolation,” according to a statement from the hospital.

Those with respiratory concerns including shortness of breath and pressure in the chest are encouraged to contact the Family Medicine Clinic where a triage nurse will ask questions, schedule an appointment or advise the patient on their best course of action. The clinic can be reached at: 319-653-7291.