Clinical Assessment for COVID-19
January 14, 2022
Starting Monday, January 17, 2022 the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance’s (HPHA) COVID-19 Assessment Centre will be offering physician clinical assessments.
Previously, patients attending the Assessment Centre could access a physician for clinical assessment following their COVID-19 test. With testing guidance changes, the Assessment Centre is adapting to enable patients, who do not currently qualify for COVID-19 testing, to still access the physician for a clinical assessment only appointment. Appointments must be booked in advance. Walk-in appointments will not be available.
So how do you know when you need a COVID-19 clinical assessment? The province has recently updated its online screening tool to help determine whether you should stay home and isolate or seek treatment. You can use this tool to guide a self-referral for a clinical assessment appointment, or you can be referred from your primary caregiver and services like Telehealth.
COVID-19 Clinical Assessment appointments are for anyone experiencing high risk symptoms. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms is advised to immediately call 9-1-1 or visit the nearest Emergency Department. Those experiencing mild symptoms, who are otherwise healthy, are asked to manage their symptoms at home.
If you have any one of the following high risk criteria you should book a Clinical Assessment Appointment (note: COVID-19 testing is only available to those who qualify, per new testing guidelines. This appointment is a clinical assessment appointment with a physician not a COVID-19 test).
High risk criteria includes:
- Fever for 3 or more days
- Mild to moderate breathing difficulty
- Poor drinking or dehydration
- A child who is 3-6 months old with any symptom (infants less than three months old please call your primary care provider or attend your closest emergency department)
If you have any severe symptoms you should seek immediate attention at your closest emergency department.
Severe symptoms include:
- Moderate to severe difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New onset of loss of speech or mobility, or confusion
- Chest pain
Clinical Assessments are available Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Booking your COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Here are some helpful tips:
- Use the online booking tool to book your appointment. It’s quick, easy to use, and means you won’t have to wait on hold to speak to someone.
- If you don’t have access to a smartphone or computer, appointments may also be requested by phone at 519-272-8210 ext. 2747.
- Please remember that appointments are required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins.
Things to know when attending a COVID-19 Clinical Assessment appointment at the HPHA COVID-19 Assessment Centre:- Enter the Stratford Rotary Complex at the Community Hall Entrance and follow the signs to Hall D where the Assessment Centre is located.
- Please follow all precautions including wearing a mask, physical distancing and frequent hand hygiene. Please note, once you enter the Assessment Centre, you will be asked to remove your personal mask and will be provided with and must wear a disposable medical grade mask.
- The time of your appointment is the time you should arrive at the Assessment Centre.