Mercy Expands Services in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

As the world continues to make unprecedented decisions related to COVID-19, Mercy is moving quickly to make changes as well. We will be transitioning processes in our Mercy clinics and hospitals to protect and serve our patients and caregivers.

Emergency Department Triage

Mercy hospitals in Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas will open temporary triage space near the main ER entrance to provide help for those who think they may have COVID-19. Adding this extra level of triage also protects patients who are visiting the ER for unrelated issues. An initial triage nurse will quickly assess the reason for a patient’s visit and if COVID-19 is suspected, the patient will be isolated from others and treated in that space. If the potential COVID-19 patients are more ill, they will be routed through a separate entrance to minimize exposure to the waiting room and other patients.

Virtual Visits

Virtual visits will be used to reduce exposure risk for patients and possible transmission for the healthy and ill alike. Mercy’s goal is to have 95 percent of visits happening virtually in the coming days. Patients with an established Mercy physician should call the regular clinic number or Mercy Call Center at 888-338-3885 in Northwest Arkansas and 844-673-3939 in Fort Smith.

Specialized Convenient Care

Mercy has set up dedicated clinics to keep those with suspected respiratory illnesses separate from other patients. These clinics are designed with the goal of protecting our communities and allowing us to continue to serve all patients seeking care.

River Valley/Fort Smith area:

There are two options in Fort Smith: Mercy Convenient Care – River Valley, 3505 S. 79^th St., 479-709-8686, and Mercy Convenient Care – Zero Street, 1400 Zero St., 479-573-3082. Patients are recommended to call ahead.

Northwest Arkansas:

In Northwest Arkansas, patients must have a referral from a Mercy primary care physician (virtual visit) to Mercy Convenient Care – Highway 102. Patients with moderate to severe respiratory symptoms first will be seen in a drive-through clinic to assess their symptoms and get treatment. Those with more severe symptoms will be seen inside the clinic building, with possible transfer to Mercy Hospital ER for patients with the most critical symptoms.

Mercy Northwest Arkansas encourages patients needing care for non-respiratory symptoms to visit Mercy GoHealth locations in Fayetteville, Springdale and Rogers that are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.

Acute Injury Clinics

To separate patients with physical injuries, Mercy will open acute injury clinics, staffed by physicians specializing in orthopedics, in Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas.

In Fort Smith, Mercy Clinic Orthopedics and Mercy Clinic Podiatry, 3501 Knight Drive, will take walk-in patients 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 479-709-6700.

In Northwest Arkansas, Mercy Clinic Orthopedics – Rogers, 1000 S. 52^nd St., will take acute injury patients by referral from primary care physicians.

Restricted Visitors

To protect patients, co-workers and the community, Mercy Hospitals in Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas are prohibiting visitors, with limited exceptions.