Covid-19 questionnaire available

WAXAHACHIE – Baylor Scott & White Health recently launched a Covid-19 screening questionnaire that is available through a downloadable app at https://www.bswhealth.com/Pages/coronavirus-information.aspx.

While Susan Hall, Media Manager, Public Relations for BSW Health said, “We won’t have a spokesperson who can be quoted directly, as they are all focused on our internal preparations, screening and testing efforts, but this is what we are providing to media who are asking about this.

“At Baylor Scott & White Health, there is nothing more important to us than the well-being of our patients and staff and the broader health of our communities.

“We are committed to helping our communities navigate the uncertainty of this virus by making Covid-19 screening available to all and conducting Covid-19 testing in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and recommendations.”

The information sent by Hall also stated that at the discretion of the care providers, in line with CDC guidelines, patients who are experiencing mild symptoms suspected to be related to Covid-19 infection are given guidance to treat at home with rest and hydration and to take precautions for distancing and isolating from others, when possible.

As recommended by the CDC, it is important for those treating mild symptoms at home to be watchful for the development of emergency warning signs of secondary conditions related to Covid-19 and to get medical attention immediately for any symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Baylor Scott & White Health also stated it has made several educational resources available to patients at BSWHealth. com. Since launching the online Covid-19 screening questionnaire on Thursday evening, Mar. 12, more than 80,000 questionnaires have been completed, which have led to nearly 19,000 Covid-19 eVisits completed by Baylor Scott & White providers.

The information sent from Hall also said the online Covid-19 screening process is for patients not experiencing a medical emergency. In the event of an emergency, it is instructed patients call 911 or report to the nearest emergency room.

For the safety of all, Baylor Scott & White is also encouraging anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms - cough, shortness of breath and feeling feverish - or who has concerns about their risk of infection with Covid-19 to first take the screening questionnaire prior to scheduling an appointment, walking into a clinic or arriving at a hospital emergency department or Covid-19 specimen collection site.

To install the app on your mobile device, simply text BETTER to 88408 to have it sent to your phone.

After completing the screening questionnaire, you may be prompted to start an eVisit; eVisits based on Covid-19-related symptoms will be at no cost to the patient. Your eVisit submission will be evaluated by a Baylor Scott & White provider who can advise you on appropriate next steps and, if necessary, navigate you to a specimen collection site. You will then receive your Covid-19 test results via MyBSWHealth or receive a call from one of the providers with your treatment plan.

It is also noted “Please do not seek out or drive up to a testing site. It is important that you start with the digital screening questionnaire and only take appropriate next steps as recommended by a Baylor Scott & White provider. This limits potential exposures for you, members of your community and healthcare workers.”