Summit Community Care Clinic works to take pressure off the hospital emergency department during coronavirus outbreak
Article by the Summit Daily
The Summit Community Care Clinic in Frisco remains open during the COVID-19 crisis, offering a combination of telehealth and in-person visits. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kathleen Cowie emphasized the clinic’s role in reducing emergency room traffic by assessing less severe cases onsite. Patients undergo symptom screening upon arrival, and although COVID-19 test kits are limited, the clinic continues testing and provides flu, strep, and chest X-rays as needed.
About half of all clinic calls are related to respiratory illness. While many ask if they need COVID-19 testing, Cowie advises that most people with mild symptoms should self-isolate rather than seek a test. The clinic is currently seeing fewer patients than usual but remains committed to managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Mental health services are offered virtually, and dental care is limited to emergencies. Staff morale remains high, bolstered by community support and donations. However, financial challenges loom due to reduced patient volume.
“We still are here for you whether there’s a pandemic or not,” Cowie said. “We’re just trying to be as prepared as we can be.”