Drive-Through Medicine: A Novel Proposal for Rapid Evaluation of Patients During an Influenza Pandemic

Resource Burden at Children’s Hospitals Experiencing Surge Volumes During the Spring 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic

“…[5][6][7] The mild presentation of our cohort, illustrated by the fact that only half met previously defined criteria for an encounter necessitating ED-level care and few were admitted, confirms suggestions that many of these patient encounters could have taken place in a less resource-intense ambulatory setting such as an existing clinic 7 or an alternative care site set up to treat high volumes of low-acuity patients. 38,40 The large influx of low-acuity patients challenged a nationwide health care system whose mainstays of pandemic preparedness focus on stockpiling supplies for the critically ill or injured, as opposed to having broadly distributed surge capacity to meet differing levels of need. This finding is helpful to future surge and health policy planning, as it highlights the need for a better-integrated delivery system that can appropriately match capacity to demand and acuity.…”

“…[36][37][38] Return visits were included for any cause and were reported weekly, using expected 2009 weekly return visit rates as a comparison. Of the most common ED quality measures, this is the only measure available in PHIS at a weekly level, other than mortality, which is reported here as a severity measure.…”

Innovative screening tests for COVID-19 in South Korea

“…Drive-Through (DT) and Walk-Through (WT) tests are designed to provide a rapid screening, have a minimal risk of infection, and reduce excessive use of medical supplies like personal protective equipment (PPE). 2 The risk of infection may be reduced by limiting the exposure of testees or direct contacts between the testees and healthcare workers. The DT tests are generally conducted in large low-traffic areas, such as public parking or stadium parking lots.…”

“…The DT tests are generally conducted in large low-traffic areas, such as public parking or stadium parking lots. 2,3 On the other hand, the WT tests can be performed in a clean testing booth that can be installed near the hospital. Table 1 shows the pros and cons of DT and WT testing for COVID-19.…”

Drawing on Israel’s Experience Organizing Volunteers to Operationalize Drive-Through Coronavirus Testing Centers

“…6 Drive-through testing centers, referred to in Israel as "drive and test" facilities, allow for increased testing throughput while maintaining social distancing guidelines. 7 The process starts after people with symptoms of COVID-19 are instructed to contact MDA's dispatch center, where they are screened by a physician, given an appointment if necessary, and then instructed to fill out electronic medical forms. Following this registration process, patients receive a QR code to their mobile device to be scanned at the facility on the day of testing.…”