MVHS moves respiratory triage service

The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has closed its respiratory triage trailer at the St. Luke’s Campus, 1656 Champlin Ave. in Utica, and moved the service into the emergency department (ED) at the campus which has been updated to provide this service. Patients with respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, congestion, etc.) should now go directly to the ED at the St. Luke’s Campus for an evaluation.

“As the rate of COVID infections continue to decrease in our community, we’ve seen a significant decrease in the number of patients coming to our respiratory trailer,” said physician Afsar Khan, ED medical director for MVHS. “We made the decision to alter the layout of the ED at St. Luke’s so that patients seeking this service can come right to the ED and receive an evaluation there. This change helps better align our resources while still meeting the need for the service. We will continue to evaluate the numbers and have the ability to reopen the trailer should the need arise.”

In April 2020, MVHS opened two respiratory triage tents outside its EDs at the St. Luke’s and St. Elizabeth campuses for patients with respiratory symptoms. As COVID numbers decreased, the tent at the St. Elizabeth Campus closed and the services in the St. Luke’s tent were transferred into a trailer to better withstand the changing weather.

The respiratory triage service in the ED is not solely for coronavirus testing and the appointment will be considered an ED visit. Patients needing emergency services not related to respiratory issues should continue to use the main ED entrances.