COVID-19 Healthcare Indianapolis VA Medical Center set up for virus testing Tom Maccabe 7:52 – WRTV Indianapolis

Indianapolis -- There's a big tent set up in the parking lot of the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis. It's big enough to drive through, and that's exactly what it's intended for.

It's all part of the hospital's COVID-19 screening and treatment plan.

According to spokesperson Angela Taylor, the hospital is taking samples on-site and sending them to the Indiana State Department of Health and Labcorp.

But what about the drive-through tent? "In certain situations, a VA provider can direct a Veteran patient to proceed to car-based screening to avoid having to enter the medical center for testing," said Taylor. "It is not open to anyone that drives up, you have to be a VA patient and have a VA provider consult. It helps us both to achieve social distancing goals for the Veterans and get them the care they have earned."

Similar to other hospitals, those who enter the Indianapolis facility, just west of downtown, will be pre-screened, This can take some time, so patients are being asked to allow some extra time when arriving for their appointments.

The screening consists of three questions:

"Per CDC guidance and VA protocols, individuals known to be at risk for a COVID-19 infection are immediately isolated to prevent potential spread to others," Taylor said.

Veterans and staff are encouraged to take everyday preventive actions to avoid being exposed to the virus:

Additionally, information about the safeguards put in place to protect nursing home and spinal cord injury patients is here: https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5400 [va.gov]

More information for Veterans is here: https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/72615/vas-recommendations-help-slow-covid-19-virus/ [blogs.va.gov]

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COVID-19 Healthcare Indianapolis VA Medical Center set up for virus testing Tom Maccabe 7:52 - WRTV Indianapolis