LYNN — The Union Hospital respiratory clinic opened two weeks ago to screen people referred by their doctors is screening more than 30 people a day and has the capacity, if needed, to double that number.
“We started with about 10 a day. All patients are tested for COVID using the Abbott system, which results in a positive in as little as five minutes with full processing in 13 minutes,” North Shore Medical Center (NSMC) spokeswoman Laura Fleming said in an email statement.
Partners HealthCare converted the urgent care center in the Union Hospital complex on Lynnfield Street into a respiratory clinic to screen individuals referred by their doctors for respiratory problem evaluations.
“Patients need to be referred to the Respiratory Clinic by their primary care physicians, so they should call their doctors (including those at the Lynn Community Health Center) to see if they are candidates and the doctors will set it up,” said Fleming.
The respiratory clinic is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Respiratory or lung and breathing-related difficulty is a primary concern with coronavirus. With coronavirus onset in Massachusetts six weeks ago, medical facilities like NSMC have significantly changed or expanded how people are tested and treated for coronavirus.
NSMC opened a drive-up testing center at Union Hospital early in March and, as of April 22, had tested 1,899 people. Drive-up testing is done every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A doctor referral should be obtained before seeking testing.
“We are offering this service at Union while the Lynn Community Health Center is offering both drive-up and walk-in testing at its facility in downtown Lynn,” said Fleming.
Health Center CEO Dr. Kiame Mahaniah posted an online appeal for donations to help support the Union Street facility during coronavirus. He warned the pandemic has resulted in “huge financial losses” for the Center.
“Our revenues have decreased dramatically due to lower patient volume while our expenses have increased exponentially,” Mahaniah stated, adding:
“Lynn Community Health Center has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by becoming a triage/testing site for patients who may have the disease. This has reduced the burden on local hospitals and allowed them to focus treatment on the most acutely ill.
“At the same time, we have continued to provide medical and behavioral health care for more than 40,000 patients.
“To keep both staff and patients safe, the health center has rapidly ramped up telehealth visits when possible. For those whose needs cannot be served remotely, separate clinics have been established for those with COVID-19 symptoms and those without, including pre-natal and well-baby visits.”
Donation information can be obtained at www.lchcnet.org/donate.
