BayCare introduces drive-through testing for coronavirus

Not-for-profit healthcare system BayCare is introducing drive-through testing centres for coronavirus (Covid-19) so its patients will be able to provide a specimen without leaving their vehicles.

BayCare Health System is transforming seven of its urgent care locations across West Central Florida into testing centres for the disease.

Testing guidelines

BayCare said the service will be limited only to its patients who meet the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) testing guidelines. It also hopes to expand access in the future as testing supplies are available and can be deployed.

"This will allow us to test more people more efficiently and safely," said Nishant Anand, chief medical officer at BayCare. "As state and federal authorities make more testing supplies available, our capacity can increase. "BayCare is committed to maximising what tools we have to serve our communities and we hope to see this concept expand in the future."

BayCare patients will be directed to the testing by their physician or by a physician from BayCareAnywhere, a telemedicine app that allows patients to obtain medical care via a smartphone, tablet or computer.

"BayCare is committed to maximising what tools we have to serve our communities and we hope to see this concept expand in the future."

At each testing location, patients will move through three stations while remaining in their car. BayCare team members, where appropriate, will wear personal protective equipment to ensure safety for patients, team members, physicians and the community.

Results will be communicated to patients after they are processed by a laboratory, which takes anywhere from two to four days to receive. Positive results will be forwarded to the CDC for confirmation and shared with the Florida Department of Health, per state law, said BayCare.

BayCare announced it is closing several BayCare Laboratory Patient Service Centres to create the resources to staff the testing sites.

BayCare plans to operate the service seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. CDC guidelines recommend testing only for patients who have been screened by a medical professional as high-risk for Covid-19, either because of symptoms or travel histories or due to close contact with someone with the disease.

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