LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UofL Health is once again expanding its COVID-19 testing. Consolidated outpatient COVID-19 testing for UofL Physicians patients will begin on Monday, May 4, at UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital.
“We are thrilled to offer this testing in south Louisville. We are committed to making sure our patients have easy access to the testing and care they need,” said Melisa Adkins, chief administrative officer of Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. “This test site will allow patients to stay closer to home for testing instead of having to drive to the downtown or west Louisville locations.”
In March, UofL Health opened the first drive-up COVID-19 test site in Louisville at the corner of Brook and Liberty streets. Last week, UofL Health partnered with the Park DuValle Community Health Center to offer testing in west Louisville. Together, more than 1,000 patients have been tested at these two sites.
Testing at three locations is by appointment only. Patients should contact their UofL Health primary care provider directly to schedule an appointment.
“Our consolidated outpatient COVID-19 test sites have been critical in helping determine the prevalence of the virus throughout our community,” Hugh Shoff MD, chief quality officer at UofL Health. “Expanding our testing to south Louisville will allow us to test more patients and make it easier for people in that community to access testing.”
This is NOT testing for the general public. This is to improve access to testing for our patients and to centralize the process and reduce the PPE and clinic burden. The following guidelines are being considered by providers:
- If they are overall healthy with mild symptoms, providers will advise that they stay home and self-quarantine per the CDC guidelines.
- If they are a high-risk patient (COPD, diabetes, heart disease) with symptoms (fever, new cough, new shortness of breath, chills, fatigue) OR a high-risk patient with direct contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, the provider may call the Testing Triage Line to schedule an appointment at the consolidated testing site.
- If they are having worsening symptoms, are unable to care for their symptoms at home, or there are concerns regarding their disease process, providers may schedule to see them via telehealth or, if it is an emergency, the patient should go to the Emergency Department or call 911.
UofL Health patients scheduled for upcoming surgical procedures will also utilize these sites, as part of Kentucky’s pre-procedure directives.
A limited number of tests are available per day. Patients must be referred to the test site by a provider and an appointment will be scheduled.
UofL Health plans to continue to expand its COVID-19 test sites to additional locations within the next couple of weeks.
