Countless health systems have launched temporary COVID-19 testing sites, but a provider in Kentucky says it is launching the state's first permanent drive-thru site for certain health screenings.
Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Healthcare said the site will offer health screenings and testing, vaccinations, diagnostics and lab work. In addition to drive-thru service, the site will accept walk-up visitors. It will be located in Louisville and is expected to open by the end of the year, with additional locations potentially to follow.
Russell Cox, Norton's CEO, said in a statement that the pandemic taught the health system about new ways to provide medical care.
"We quickly expanded our telehealth services, but we also began offering drive-thru pre-admission testing and health checks, as well as COVID-19 testing," he said. "We heard from our community that they liked the convenience of both of these, so we have developed a way that we can expand beyond COVID-19."
Norton said the concept will be similar to other drive-thru businesses like banks and vehicle maintenance. Individuals will drive into a covered location and stay in their vehicles for services such as vaccines, lab work and minor tests.
A lack of COVID-19 tests forced some providers to temporarily shut down their drive-thru testing sites shortly after they opened in March. The rollout of drive-thru testing by states and retail stores like Walmart and CVS was marked by inconsistency, delays and shortages.
