COVID-19 Preparedness: Dignity Health Urgent Care Centers Ready for Possible Surge of Patients

CENTRAL COAST, CA – March 24, 2020 –Dignity Health’s Pacific Central Coast Health Centers have taken a proactive measure to prepare for a possible surge of patients seeking evaluation for COVID-19.  Triage tents have been erected at the five Dignity Health Urgent Care locations to ensure the community has access to care if they are experiencing possible symptoms related to Coronavirus. The outdoor triage tents will provide a safe environment for community members and providers to assess patients without needing to go inside a busy office. These tents have not been activated yet but are on standby should there become a demand for expanded services.  

These tents are NOT specimen collection centers. Clinicians will only collect COVID-19 specimens if they have assessed a patient and believe testing for the Coronavirus is appropriate.

“We want to keep our communities informed of the efforts we are making and the process they should follow for receiving care. If someone is feeling ill with upper respiratory symptoms such as, fever, cough, or mild shortness of breath we ask that they contact their primary care physician first,” says Scott Robertson, MD, President and CEO of Pacific Central Coast Health Centers. “If their physician is unavailable, our urgent care centers are here for the community. If an individual is in distress or are having a health emergency, they should visit the Emergency Department immediately for care.”

Dignity Health Urgent Care has five locations along the Central Coast and the physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants continue to treat patients for minor injuries and medical concerns unrelated to COVID-19: 

  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Atascadero  |  5920 W. Mall, (805) 461-2131
  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Pismo Beach  |  877 Oak Park Blvd., (805) 474-8450
  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Santa Maria  |  2271 South Depot St., (805) 922-0561
  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Orcutt  |  1102 Clark Ave. Suite A, (805) 332-8185
  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Lompoc  |  217 W. Central Ave. Suite G, (805) 735-4292

In addition, triage tents have also been set up at our Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals which include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, French Hospital Medical Center, and Marian Regional Medical Center. These tents will only be activated should there be an influx of patients.

For more information about Pacific Central Coast Health Centers, visit: DignityHealth.org/PHC

Triage tents at the Dignity Health Urgent Care in Lompoc

[Photo Caption: Dignity Health Urgent Care in Lompoc prepares for possible surge of COID-19 patients with a triage tent.]

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About Pacific Central Coast Health Centers
 A service of Dignity Health, Pacific Central Coast Health Centers (PHC) is a non-profit Community clinic organization comprised of more than 40 health centers located primarily from Lompoc to Templeton. Our experienced physicians and advanced practice providers offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services. PHC is a part of Dignity Health Central Coast’s award-winning network of outstanding hospitals, urgent cares, imaging centers, laboratories, and post acute services. Dignityhealth.org/phc
About Dignity Health Central Coast 
Dignity Health Central Coast is comprised of five award-winning hospitals, all recognized for their quality of care, safety and service, primary care offices, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria, St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo, and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to provide additional funding to support new programs and services, as well as to advance the community’s access to health care.  For more information, visit dignityhealth.org/centralcoast.