Legacy Clinics in Fifth Ward, Southwest Houston Launch
New Way to Test Sick Kids during Pandemic
Patients Must Complete Tele-visit Before Accessing Drive-Thru Visits
HOUSTON
(April 9, 2020) – Legacy Community Health clinics in Southwest Houston (6441
High Star) and Fifth Ward (3811 Lyons Ave.) have redesigned operations for
younger patients ages 17 and under who fall ill. After seeing a provider
through Legacy’s recently launched Virtual Pediatric Clinic, some patients may
require in-person testing for situations such as a rapid flu test or strep
throat swab. Rather than coming inside a clinic, the parents can now take their
sick children to the clinic through a drive-thru set up to do these tests
without getting out of their car.
“Through
this new way of seeing sick pediatric patients, our clinic staff can focus on
diagnosing our patients to help them get better while maintaining the health of
our well patients and staff,” says Dr. Vian Nguyen, chief medical officer for
Legacy Community Health. “We are consistently improving the way we see patients
due to the current pandemic, and this is one of the ideas that seemed to be a
win-win.”
To set up an
appointment through Legacy’s Virtual Pediatric Clinic, new or established
patients can call (832) 548-5000 and follow instructions to see a
provider. If the provider deems it necessary, they will direct the patient to a
site for further testing or evaluation. Providers and on-site staff who speak
Spanish or other languages are available.
Legacy also
continues to offer adult and pediatric primary care and sick visits, HIV/AIDS
care, OB/GYN and maternity, vaccination, immunization, free HIV and pregnancy
testing, and telehealth visits for pediatrics, behavioral health and some adult
primary care services. Locations and their hours of operation may change, but
are always updated at www.legacycommunityhealth.org. Patients can also call 832-548-5000
with questions or to make an appointment.
Legacy
accepts most HMOs/PPOs, Medicaid and CHIP. Legacy also utilizes a sliding scale
fee to lower the cost of services for uninsured patients.
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About
Legacy Community Health
Legacy
Community Health (Legacy) is a full-service network of community medical
clinics offering primary and specialty care to in the Texas Gulf Coast region.
Services include adult primary care, pediatrics, dental care, vision services,
behavioral health services, OB/GYN and maternity, vaccinations and
immunizations, health promotion and community outreach, wellness and nutrition,
and comprehensive HIV/AIDS care. With 35 locations across Houston, Baytown,
Deer Park, and Beaumont, Legacy is the largest Federally Qualified Health
Center (FQHC) in Texas. Legacy has been a United Way-affiliated agency since
1990. To learn more, visit www.legacycommunityhealth.org.