When Jennifer Brinkley got a call from Texas Children’s asking if she wanted to reschedule her son’s dermatology appointment with the drive-through clinic, Patient Express, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“We are being very cautious, and to be honest, I was reluctant to come to the hospital for a minor procedure,” Brinkley said. “So, when I heard about the drive-through clinic I was thrilled! All we had to do was drive up. There was no wait and we were in and out in 20 minutes. It was great!”
Texas Children’s Dermatology is offering the drive-through service to patients who need basic dermatological treatments for conditions such as warts and/or molluscum. The clinic is set up near the ambulance bay at Wallace Tower. Patients call about five minutes before arriving, pull up and are seen by one of our dermatologists.
To ensure everyone’s safety, all patients and family members are asked a series of COVID-19 screening questions, their temperatures are taken and they are required to wear a mask. If they do not have a mask of their own, we will provide one for them. Texas Children’s employees participating in Patient Express are required to wear personal protective equipment including a mask, gown, gloves and facial shield.
“Patient Express is a great way for us to provide family-centered care while addressing people’s concerns about COVID-19,” said Rachel Brock, the practice administrator for Dermatology. “We are providing treatment in a new way that corresponds with the environment we are currently living in.”
View photos of the clinic below.
The first Patient Express clinic was held on May 14 and brought in 9 patients. The second happened on May 28 and 13 patients were treated. Brock said for now the clinic will be held every two weeks as a way to increase patient access to dermatologic care as concern for appropriate social distancing currently limits the number of daily patient appointments in the Mark Wallace Tower Dermatology Clinic.
Dr. Raegan Hunt said she is grateful to be able to serve patients in a way that is both convenient and safe. Although conditions such as warts and molluscum are common and relatively easy to treat, Hunt said they have an impact on patients and families.
“These conditions can cause itching or pain, and they can be stigmatizing,” she said. “In addition, early treatment of molluscum may reduce spreading and lessen the number of overall legions.”
Based on feedback she’s received thus far from patients and families, Hunt said she feels that Patient Express is a win-win for everyone involved.
