SIH Drive Through Testing Clinics

As an outgrowth of the 24-hour SIH COVID-19 hotline, SIH today announced three drive through testing clinics for individuals who meet the criteria for additional analysis through the hotline's screening process.

• The testing locations are not open to the public.
• They are specifically for patients with a provider's referral through the hotline. SIH staff donned in personal protective equipment, or PPE, will perform specimen collection, or nasal swabs, for COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses through the driver's side or passenger side window. 
• Patients will not have to leave their cars.

SIH will rely on Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and/or commercial laboratories to perform the COVID-19 tests if indicated after flue and other respiratory symptoms are ruled out. It offers fewer potentially infectious touch points than a traditional office visit. 

"We want to keep people in the safest setting, both for their sake and the medical staff's sake by limiting the amount of exposure," said Matthew Winkleman, MD, at SIH Primary Care Harrisburg. "The best way to do that is to contact the hotline to evaluate the risk. Then we can determine the most appropriate place for testing."

An electronic doctor's order is required and can only be issued following a call to the SIH COVID-10 Hotline at 844.988.7800 for triage and further determination. 

Step-by-Step Process

1. Call the SIH COVID-19 Hotline at 844.988.7800 for determination. 
2. For individuals who meet criteria warranting additional testing, they'll receive individualized instruction on how to proceed. Drive through testing requires an electronic order from a provider associated with the hotline. 
3. Arrive for testing during site business hours, individuals remain in their vehicle throughout the process. Medical professionals will test you in your car. 
4. Results are expected within four to seven days.

Patient Privacy

SIH is committed to protecting the confidentiality of our patient's health information. In so doing, taking pictures and/or videotaping of any identifiable patient information that includes vehicle license plates is strictly prohibited. 

SIH facilities are testing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. As the situation changes, our procedures will continue to evolve.