Augusta University Health is offering drive-through and walk-in clinics for rapid COVID-19 testing. We offer both nasal swab and saliva testing depending upon the patient’s needs and testing circumstances. The health care provider will evaluate and recommend the best test option for you. To schedule your appointment, call our COVID-19 hotline.
Call the AU Health hotline at 706-721-1852 to schedule a test.
If you have questions about your COVID-19 symptoms or need follow up care, consider
utilizing the AU Health Virtual Care app or website. Simply log in and begin a visit with an emergency provider.
Call the AU Health hotline at 706-721-1852 to schedule a test.
If you have questions about your COVID-19 symptoms or need follow up care, consider
utilizing the AU Health Virtual Care app or website. Simply log in and begin a visit with an emergency provider.
Important Information
Most elective procedures have been temporarily suspended due to increased demand of
caring for COVID patients and to maintain the capacity to care for those who are in
need of more urgent and time sensitive procedures. AU Health is reaching out to patients
whose procedures have been affected. We will work to reschedule procedures as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Your health and safety are our highest priority. To protect our community, all patients
and support persons must wear a face covering over the nose and mouth the entire time while in the facility. We ask patrons wear
their own masks, but masks are available as needed. Wearing a disposable or cloth
mask in public areas at all times is the safest approach.
We ask each patient only bring one support person to their visit at our outpatient facilities including our care centers and other
ambulatory clinics. We also welcome one family member or support person to accompany a non-COVID-19 patient in the hospital. Siblings/children
should not come to clinic appointments and may not visit a patient in the hospital.
Two primary caregivers may be with a child in the children's hospital for ambulatory, surgical, or hospitalizations.
Siblings/children may not come to the children's hospital to see a patient.
Screening and Testing
Should you be tested for COVID-19 if you have been exposed?
If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you don’t have to be tested right
away. Instead, quarantine yourself for 14 days and monitor your symptoms.
If you have questions, call the AU Health hotline at 706-721-1852.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms reported for COVID-19 are similar to influenza and have included mild to
severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms
include body aches, nausea, diarrhea, loss of taste and smell, or even the feeling
of passing out.
Call the AU Health hotline at 706-721-1852 to schedule a test.
Testing Locations
AU Health is leading the fight against COVID-19. We are offering drive-through and
walk-in clinics for rapid COVID-19 testing. We offer both NP swab and saliva testing depending upon the patient’s needs and testing circumstances. The healthcare
provider will evaluate and recommend the best test option for you. To schedule your
appointment, call our COVID-19 hotline 706-721-1852.
Patient drives to the back of the Annex to verify identity via driver's license or
another form of identification
Patient's vehicle is labeled with lab specimen labels under windshield wiper
Once in the garage bay, patient places their vehicle in park and turns engine off
Patient verifies name and DOB for a second time
Patient provides verbal consent
Swab or saliva test is performed
Specimen is collected and the test is completed
Results are available 24-72 hours via the VIP portal
What is a Nasal Pharyngeal (NP) Swab test?
This test will require a medical professional to swab the inside of your nose. The
test will take approximately 20 seconds and does cause mild discomfort.
What is a saliva test?
This test requires analysis of at least 1/2 tsp of liquid saliva provided in a specimen
cup. Please do not smoke, vape, eat or drink anything for one hour prior to your appointment,
including water, coffee, chewing gum, candy, mint or tobacco. Please do not brush
your teeth, use mouth wash, smoke, vape, chew tobacco, place mints or hard candy in
your mouth for 1 hour prior to testing because it can interfere with the test.
COVID-19 Testing Information Pediatric Surgical Patients
Augusta University CHOG-3rd Floor Medical Office Building
Under typical circumstances, AU Health welcomes family and guests 24/7. Our patient-
and family-centered practices recognize that family/support individuals are stewards
of patient safety and are integral to healing. The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult
for all of us, and while we continue to support patient- and family- centered care,
during this time, we must be cautious in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Please
review these safe practices. Thank you for partnering with us to keep everyone safe.
Screening
Upon entry, all patients and family members/support persons are asked several questions
as part of our screening process. After screening, you will receive a sticker to wear.
You must wear a face covering over nose and mouth in our facility.
Emergency Department:
Patients may have a support person with them when placed in the exam room. Given limited
spacing in the waiting area, and the inability to social distance effectively, support
persons must wait outside of ED until patient is in the exam room.
Seeing Your Patient
While at AU Health, ONE family member/support person may be with patient (exception: Covid units). Please,
wear sticker indicating you have been screened;
remain in patient's room with minimal movement throughout hospital;
If after 8:30 pm, family member/support person receives photo Identification Badge.
Children may not visit inpatients.
While at CHOG, TWO primary caregivers/support persons may be with the pediatric patient. Names
of these two caregivers are listed with the nurse and may not be changed out. For
NICU, only one primary caregiver may be at the bedside at a time.
Support persons receive an authorized blue card upon admission to the unit. This card
is presented to the CHOG information desk in the lobby in order to receive a blue
armband. This armband must be worn for entry to the unit.
Children may not visit inpatients.
Safety Precautions
If you are not feeling well, stay home!
Wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer;
Sneeze or cough into a tissue and throw it away or use 'Superman technique' by coughing
in bended elbow;
Keep face covering on and don't touch face;
Social distance when around others.
Helpful Tips
When not here, set up virtual contacts with patient. Staff can help!
Identify one individual as key contact to communicate with care team and family.
Sign up for the secure VIP portal (Virtually Informed Patient) for provider messaging, provider notes, pathology and radiology reports, medications, and discharge
reports. For more information, call 706-446-0024.
