Fort Smith Regional Chamber Of Commerce: Mercy Clinic Provides Care For Those With COVID-Related Symptoms

Press release from the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce:

August 18, 2021

Mardi L. Taylor Senior Media Relations & Communications Specialist Mercy Fort Smith (479) 462-7289 cell mardi.taylor@mercy.net     Mercy Fort Smith has opened a clinic focused on the treatment of COVID-19 patients and people with symptoms of the illness.  Mercy Clinic COVID Care – Fort Smith is located at the former Convenient Care clinic at Mercy Tower West, 6801 Rogers Ave. in Fort Smith. The clinic is open 3-9 p.m. six days a week and is available to walk-ins only (no appointments needed). Patients do not need to be established with Mercy to utilize the clinic. The clinic is closed on Thursdays.  Mercy set up this dedicated clinic to keep those with COVID-19-related symptoms, including moderate to severe respiratory illnesses, separate from other patients. The clinic was designed with the goal of protecting the community and allowing Mercy to continue to serve all patients seeking care.   Mercy urges anyone with acute symptoms such as fever; dry cough; tiredness; aches and pains; sore throat; diarrhea; conjunctivitis; headache; loss of taste or smell; or rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes to utilize the clinic. Those with severe symptoms including difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure or loss of speech or movement should seek immediate medical attention at the closest emergency room.  COVID-19 testing and other diagnostic processes such as testing for strep throat and influenza will be used to diagnose and treat patients at Mercy Clinic COVID Care – Fort Smith. Patients will be evaluated by a physician or advanced practice nurse, who will create a treatment plan for each patient following a diagnosis.  Masking and social distancing are required at Mercy Clinic COVID Care – Fort Smith, as well as at all other Mercy facilities. Patients are allowed to have one person accompany them during each appointment. (A complete list of Mercy Fort Smith’s visitor guidelines is available .)  Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms can schedule a test with Mercy by calling 479-573-3939. COVID-19 testing is at Mercy Convenient Care – 79th Street, 3505 79th St. in Fort Smith. COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available by visiting mercy.net/FSMVaccine or calling 833-364-6777.  Mercy Mercy Mercy Mercy Mercy Mercy , named one of the top five large U.S. health systems for four consecutive years by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy  is one of the nation’s most highly integrated, multi-state health care systems,   is one of the nation’s most highly integrated, multi-state health care systems,  includ ing ing  more than 40 acute care, managed and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals,  convenient urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has  convenient urgent care locations, imaging centers and pharmacies. Mercy has  900 physician practices and outpatient facilities, more than 4,000 Mercy Clinic physicians and advanced practitioners and 40,000-plus  co-workers  serving patients and families across   serving patients and families across  Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.  In addition, Mercy's IT division, Mercy Technology Services, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients from coast to coast.

This press release was produced by the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.