BECKLEY, W.Va. — The Beckley VA Medical Center’s (VAMC) Primary Care Team is offering expanded health care services for possible COVID-19 positive patients with hopes of improving the quality of care for everyone.
The Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) at the VAMC’s parking lot is being used as an alternative clinic space for veterans who do not pass the COVID-19 screening process. The MMU’s triage team will care for Veterans testing positive but not requiring a higher level of care in the emergency department.
“This helps prevent further exposure for the veteran, others waiting on the emergency department as well as our employees,” Sara Yoke, Public Affairs Officer for the Beckley VAMC told MetroNews.
“This helps decrease wait times and helps create a better quality of care for everyone.”
COVID-19 testing is performed from a patient’s vehicle in the parking lot. COVID-19 testing method is PCR, with results provided within two hours, Yoke said. She also noted that testing is only available for Veterans enrolled in the Beckley VAMC.
Beckley VAMC stated the MMU is located on the left-hand side of the parking lot if you are looking at the white screening tent in front of the facility. When a veteran arrives, they must first report to the tent and will provide further instructions by the screeners.
Yoke told MetroNews the Beckley VAMC thanks veterans for their patience and flexibility with COVID-19 care.
“We’re trying to do our best to provide quality healthcare and also reduce wait times by creating special clinic space such as this. This is also adapting to the changing pandemic,” she said.
VA telehealth options are also encouraged by the Beckley VAMC.