Asante sets up mobile COVID-19 sample collection site

Patients will still need a doctor's order to get tested at the new site in Medford.

Through april."

Ected and sent to testing labs.

(topic key) it's a drive through facility in medford that allows patients to get a swab test without leaving their car.

Patients have to be ordered by their doctor to use this facility.

The idea is that it helps keep potentially contagious people outside of the hospital.

This limits the risk of spreading the disease to other, more vulnerable patients.

(take scott key) dr. scott wilber says, "we think it's really important to keep these patients out of the hospital setting and keep them in an area where we can continue to have social distancing.

And this allows us to have people dedicated to collecting these swabs who can wear their personal protective equipment all day or all shift long and not have to change that in between patients and so that helps us conserve as well."

(topic key) the process is relatively simple.

Referred patients drive up to the collection site.

From there they undergo a nasal swab from health professional in protective gear.

Once the swab is collected, you're set back home and the sample is sent to a testing facility.

The collection process only takes a few minutes.

The collection site is located off of i-5 exit 27 on center drive.

It's open monday through friday from 10 a-m to 5 p-m and on the weekends from one to p-m.

You must receive a physician's order to have a swab performed before going to the site.

Tonight on newswatch 12 at 5, what other challenges asante is facing during this