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Prisma Health announces COVID-19 community testing events for week of May 31–June 6

Press Release

GREENVILLE, SC—Prisma Health has announced six more COVID-19 community testing events for the week of May 31–June 6.

The drive-through community testing, done in partnership with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and state agencies, tries to reach populations who may not otherwise have access to traditional testing or online virtual visits. Testing is a priority for Prisma Health.

Testing at sites will be provided 10 a.m –2 p.m.
 
Upstate locations

  • Tuesday, June 2, East End Elementary, 505 E. Second Ave., Easley.
  • Thursday, June 4, R.H. Gettys Middle School, 510 S. Pendleton St., Easley.
  • Saturday, June 6, Cherrydale Elementary School, 302 Perry Rd., Greenville.

Midlands locations

  • Tuesday, June 2, E.E. Taylor Elementary, 200 McRae St., Columbia.
  • Thursday, June 4, Riverbank Elementary, 160 Cougar Dr., Columbia.
  • Saturday, June 6, Sumter Civic Center, 700 W. Liberty St., Sumter.

For details of additional sites or to ensure that inclement weather hasn’t affected scheduled drive-through sites, visit PrismaHealth.org/Coronavirus.

Prisma Health officials also cautioned that the community testing sites are only intended for free community testing. Physician-ordered testing for patients who already have providers, have completed a Virtual Visit, or need pre-surgical testing should take place at hospital-based testing sites as instructed by their providers.

Here is what community members should know about community testing sites:

  • People will be tested for active COVID-19 infections.
  • No one needs a doctor’s order.
  • Testing will be given regardless of ability to pay.
  • No appointment is needed.
  • Spanish-speaking Prisma Health team members will be available at every site.
  • All those taking part will be given masks when they arrive. They will also be asked to maintain social distancing.
  • Test results should come back within four days.
  • Everyone tested will receive follow-up information about test results – whether positive or negative – from providers at Prisma Health.
  • Everyone will get tips on isolating at home if sick, caring for themselves and seeking more help if symptoms worsen.

About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 hospitals, 2,984 beds and more than 300 physician practice sites, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually. Its goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org.

Prisma Health announces additional COVID-19 community testing event in Orangeburg this week

Press Release

GREENVILLE, SC—Prisma Health will host a COVID-19 community testing event in Orangeburg on Friday.

Prisma Health is hosting seven community testing events this week alone. Since May 2, it has screened more than 4,730 people at its community testing events across the state.

The drive-through community testing, primarily done in partnership with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and state agencies, tries to reach populations who may not otherwise have access to traditional testing or online virtual visits. Testing is a priority for Prisma Health.

Friday’s testing will be 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at William J. Clark Middle School, 919 Bennett St., Orangeburg.

For details of additional sites or to ensure that inclement weather hasn’t affected scheduled drive-through sites, visit PrismaHealth.org/Coronavirus.

Prisma Health officials also cautioned that the community testing sites are only intended for free community testing. Physician-ordered testing for patients who already have providers, have completed a Virtual Visit or need pre-surgical testing should take place at hospital-based testing sites as instructed by their providers.

Here is what community members should know about community testing sites:

  • People will be tested for active COVID-19 infections.
  • No one needs a doctor’s order.
  • Testing will be given regardless of ability to pay.
  • No appointment is needed.
  • Spanish-speaking Prisma Health team members will be available at every site.
  • All those taking part will be given masks when they arrive. They will also be asked to maintain social distancing.
  • Test results should come back within four days.
  • Everyone tested will receive follow-up information about test results – whether positive or negative – from providers at Prisma Health.
  • Everyone will get tips on isolating at home if sick, caring for themselves and seeking more help if symptoms worsen.

About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 hospitals, 2,984 beds and more than 300 physician practice sites, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually. Its goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org

Prisma Health adds drive-through COVID-19 testing site in Sumter

Press Release

Prisma Health has added another drive-through site at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter. Earlier this week, the site began offering limited drive-through COVID-19 testing for patients with personal identification and orders from their provider. Prisma Health started offering this testing in Columbia and Greenville last week.

The tests will be performed at the hospital’s Calhoun St./Day Surgery entrance, 9 a.m.¬5 p.m., Monday–Friday. Upon arrival at the drive-through location, patients will remain in their car as a sample is collected. The results from these samples will be sent to the ordering physician, and patients will be contacted as soon as their result is available. Because of likely backlog of testing at labs, patients may not receive results for four to seven days.

Physicians determine if a test should be ordered based on a patient’s risk factors, such as age, underlying health issues or recent international travel. Only those people who are experiencing symptoms of the virus — fever, shortness of breath and cough — and who have reason to believe they have been exposed are encouraged to contact their healthcare provider for an evaluation.

Currently, Prisma Health is not able to provide testing to community members without a physician order. Plans are under way to expand testing for more people at additional sites, which will be announced as soon as possible.

Because the healthcare provider suspects that the patient may have COVID-19, we ask that patients self-isolate at home until they hear the results of their test. This is vital to help protect the community from potential exposure. If the patient’s symptoms worsen, they should contact their physician or Prisma Health Virtual Visit provider.

For current information on home isolation and how to protect your family members from potential exposure, please review this guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prisma Health Virtual Visits, which launched earlier this month, include a new on-demand video option in addition to the existing online visit option. To access the free virtual visits, use promo code COVID19. To learn more about Virtual Visits or create an account, visit PrismaHealth.org/VirtualVisit.

For more information about COVID-19 and Prisma Health’s continued response, visit PrismaHealth.org/Coronavirus.

Prisma Health collaborating with S.C. Precision Genetics for COVID-19 testing

Press Release

Prisma Health has entered into a reference laboratory agreement with Precision Genetics to begin immediate COVID-19 testing for its patients in the Upstate and Midlands. Testing began Friday, April 3.

Precision Genetics is a Greenville-based company providing healthcare systems and businesses with employee health and financial wellness services, medication risk assessment, laboratory work, genetics testing, management consulting and other services.

“Prisma Health values our relationship with Precision Genetics. They are an innovative partner that is making a difference in our ability to care for our patients during the COVID-19 public health crisis,” said Jesse Stafford, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for Laboratory Services, Prisma Health. “We are confident the added testing capacity from Precision Genetics will help further decrease the waiting time for test results.”

“We face a very challenging time with our ability to manage the national and statewide COVID-19 pandemic. It has forced all of us to create immediate solutions to assist our community and our healthcare providers to handle the imminent surge of patients and frontline personnel in need of testing,” stated Nate Wilbourne, CEO of Precision Genetics.

Wilbourne added, “Precision Genetics focuses on innovative and efficient solutions in order to better care for patients. Our ability to rapidly deploy a solution on behalf of Prisma Health and the state of South Carolina is a testament to our team of professionals and technology platforms. We are providing a scalable high-throughput process, with next-day results, to significantly make a difference in the care of our population. Currently we are able to process more than 1,000 COVID-19 tests per day. We are honored to work with Prisma Health in this effort.”

The collaboration between Precision Genetics and Prisma Health for diagnostic services and solutions has been in place since 2017.

About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and South Carolina’s largest private employer. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 hospitals, 2,984 beds and more than 300 physician practice sites, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually. Its goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org.

About Precision Genetics
Precision Genetics is a molecular, high-complexity CLIA laboratory based in Greenville, SC. Precision Genetics specializes in molecular testing services and technology solutions that enable a higher standard of care. Precision Genetics provides healthcare systems and businesses with employee health and wellness services, peri-operative and medication risk assessment, and other ancillary laboratory services.

Prisma Health announces six additional COVID-19 community testing events for week of May 24–30

Press Release

GREENVILLE, SC—Prisma Health has announced six additional COVID-19 community testing events this week, including one offered in Manning, South Carolina, in partnership with McLeod Health and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

The community testing, primarily done in partnership with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and state agencies, will reach populations who may not otherwise have access to traditional testing or online virtual visits.

Testing is a priority for Prisma Health, especially providing access to communities that need it the most. Testing at this week’s sites will be provided 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Upstate locations

  • Wednesday, May 27: Blythe Academy, 100 Blythe Dr., Greenville.
  • Thursday, May 28: Walhalla High School (spring sports parking lot), 4701 Hwy. 11, Walhalla. 
  • Saturday, May 30: Carolina High School, 2725 Anderson Rd., Greenville.

Midlands locations

  • Wednesday, May 27: Manning Junior High School, 1101 W.L. Hamilton Rd., Manning.
  • Thursday, May 28: St. Andrews Park, 920 Beatty Rd., Columbia.
  • Saturday, May 30: Harbison Elementary School, 257 Crossbow Dr., Columbia.

Prisma Health officials also cautioned that the community testing sites are only intended for free community testing. Physician-ordered testing for patients who already have providers, have completed a Virtual Visit or need pre-surgical testing should take place at hospital-based testing sites as instructed by their providers.

Here is what community members should know about community testing sites:

  • People will be tested for active COVID-19 infections.
  • No one needs a doctor’s order.
  • Testing will be given regardless of ability to pay.
  • No appointment is needed.
  • Spanish-speaking Prisma Health team members will be available at every site.
  • All those taking part will be given masks when they arrive. They will also be asked to maintain social distancing.
  • Test results should come back within four days.
  • Everyone tested will receive follow-up information about test results – whether positive or negative – from providers at Prisma Health.
  • Everyone will get tips on isolating at home if sick, caring for themselves and seeking more help if symptoms worsen.

Additional sites are expected to be announced in the weeks to come. For details of additional sites or to ensure that inclement weather hasn’t affected scheduled drive-through sites, visit PrismaHealth.org/Coronavirus.

About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 hospitals, 2,984 beds and more than 300 physician practice sites, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually. Its goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org.

Prisma Health announces four additional COVID-19 community testing events for week of May 17–23

Press Release

GREENVILLE, SC—Prisma Health has announced four additional COVID-19 community testing events this week but cautioned that the drive-through events could be impacted by scattered thunderstorms predicted later this week.

Community members are urged to check media outlets or Prisma Health’s COVID-19-information website (PrismaHealth.org/Coronavirus) to ensure the events have not been cancelled due to inclement weather.

The community testing, done in partnership with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and state agencies, will reach populations who may not otherwise have access to traditional testing or online virtual visits.

Testing is a priority for Prisma Health, especially providing access to communities that need it the most.

Prisma Health is offering community screenings for COVID-19 at the following locations on Thursday and Saturday, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.:

Upstate locations

  • Thursday 5/21, Hollis Elementary, 200 Goodrich St., Greenville
  • Saturday, 5/23, E.B. Morse Elementary, 200 Parkview Dr., Laurens

Midlands locations

  • Thursday, 5/21, East Clarendon High School, 1101 Pope St., Turbeville
  • Saturday, 5/23, Dutch Fork High/Middle School (co-located), 1400 Old Tamah Rd., Irmo

Prisma Health officials also cautioned that the community testing sites are only intended for free community testing. Physician-ordered testing for patients who already have providers, have completed a Virtual Visit or need pre-surgical testing should take place at hospital-based testing sites as instructed by their providers.

Here is what community members should know about community testing sites:

  • People will be tested for active COVID-19 infections.
  • No one needs a doctor’s order.
  • Testing will be given regardless of ability to pay.
  • No appointment is needed.
  • Spanish-speaking Prisma Health team members will be available at every site.
  • All those taking part will be given masks when they arrive. They will also be asked to maintain social distancing.
  • Test results should come back within four days.
  • Everyone tested will receive follow-up information about test results – whether positive or negative – from providers at Prisma Health.
  • Everyone will get tips on isolating at home if sick, caring for themselves and seeking more help if symptoms worsen.

Additional sites are expected to be announced in the weeks to come. For details, visit PrismaHealth.org/Coronavirus.

About Prisma Health
Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 hospitals, 2,984 beds and more than 300 physician practice sites, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually. Its goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org.