Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care reopens

Published 11:50 am Thursday, May 21, 2020

As Ballad Health continues cautiously resuming its services in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it will reopen its Elizabethton urgent care center on Thursday, May 21.

Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care in Elizabethton had temporarily closed in April, when COVID-19 volumes and concerns led Ballad Health to consolidate several of its urgent care locations.

“Ballad Health, like nearly every healthcare system nationally, had to brace for an influx of COVID-19 patients, while also experiencing nearly catastrophic declines in its volumes in most other areas, including physician practice and urgent care use,” said Mark Patterson, MD, president of Ballad Health Medical Associates. “We’re thrilled that, as our region and nation work together to carefully reopen services and resume many aspects of daily life, we’re ready to safely welcome patients back to our Elizabethton urgent care center.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic still presents a health threat in the Appalachian Highlands, Ballad Health has enhanced its processes and infection prevention measures. The health system has bolstered its ability to foster physical distancing in its facilities by redesigning waiting rooms to provide ample space between people, staggering appointment times to reduce crowded waiting rooms and implementing virtual waiting rooms, so patients can remain in their cars until their appointment time, instead of staying in the waiting rooms.

Additionally, Ballad Health team members are required to wear masks at all times when they’re at work, and patient care team members also have access to sterile and enhanced protective equipment. The health system’s environmental services team members have also drastically increased the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of public and patient care areas and surfaces, and Ballad Health has set up hand sanitization stations throughout its facilities.

Ballad Health also requires every patient, visitor, team member and physician to be screened for potential illness as soon as they enter any of its facilities. Patients should bring their own cloth face covering, such as a handmade mask, bandana or buff. For pediatric patients, children younger than 2 should not wear a mask. Please ensure children can easily breathe through their mask.

If a patient calls ahead to Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care in Elizabethton and states they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or has been sent for COVID-19 testing, they should call the center at 423-542-8929 upon arrival, so urgent care team members can bring them in when a room is ready, and caregivers have donned appropriate personal protective equipment.

To further protect patients’ safety, Ballad Health has also launched its Connected Care Virtual Health Urgent Care Clinic, which offers access to on-demand care for illnesses, such as the cold or flu; ear and eye infections; headaches; sinus infections and strep throat; sprains and strains; and UTIs. Some consultations might require a referral for a visit to a local clinic for testing or to confirm a diagnosis.

Through the Virtual Health Urgent Care Clinic, patients can pay a flat fee of $30, which includes a visit with a healthcare provider, an appropriate diagnosis and a prescription, if necessary. This $30 fee applies regardless of insurance coverage.

Patients who want to schedule an appointment with the Virtual Health Urgent Care Clinic can call 423-224-3950 to speak with a patient service representative. The Virtual Health Urgent Care Clinic is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic drove us to refine and modify many aspects of our care processes and systems, the central tenet of Ballad Health remains: No matter what, we will deliver the best possible care,” Dr. Patterson said.

When it reopens on May 21, Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care in Elizabethton will maintain its full roster of services, including treatment for cold and flu symptoms such as fevers, sore throats and coughs; ear and eye infections; insect and animal bites; minor burns, cuts and rashes; sinus infections and strep throat; sprains, strains and minor fractures; and urinary tract infections.

Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care in Elizabethton is located at 1497 W. Elk Ave., and it is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. If anyone is experiencing moderate symptoms of COVID-19, including cough, fever or shortness of breath, please call the Ballad Health Nurse Connect line at 833-822-5523 (833-8-BALLAD) to be screened. The hotline is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

All COVID-19 updates and information are available on www.balladhealth.org/COVID19. More information about Ballad Health Medical Associates Urgent Care is available at www.balladhealth.org.