Health Center Temporarily Institutes Operational Changes

In an effort to protect the health of patients and its staff, Pat Walker Health Center is taking proactive and temporary measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Pat Walker Health Center remains committed to ensuring critical health services remain available for students, faculty and staff.

Additional operational impacts will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis and be communicated via the Arkansas Newswire, the university's COVID-19 resource site and health center social media channels. (Follow @uofahealth on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on health center changes)

Appointments Schedule by Phone Only

For the time being, the health center will no longer accept walk-in patients or allow patients to schedule appointments online through the Patient Web Portal.

Students, faculty and staff can schedule appointments via phone by calling the appropriate clinic:

  • Primary Care Clinic: 479-575-4451 (option 1)
  • Women's Clinic: 479-575-4451 (option 2)
  • Allergy & Immunization Clinic: 479-575-4451 (option 5)
  • Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS): 479-575-5276

All patients will be screened upon arrival to ensure they are not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

For COVID-19-related health appointments, patients should contact the health center prior to arriving. Triage nurses are available to provide additional information and next steps for those seeking medical care.

Extended Hours Temporarily Suspended

Until further notice, Pat Walker Health Center will suspend evening and Saturday clinic hours. The health center will maintain its normal operating hours for all clinics, programs and services:

  • Mondays - Thursdays: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Fridays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CAPS 24-hour Emergency Phoneline remains unaffected and is available by calling 479-575-5276.

For COVID-19 after-hours care and support:

Washington Regional Medical Center:

  • Screening Hotline: 479-463-2055
  • Screening Center: 3318 N. North Hills Boulevard (10AM-10PM)

Arkansas Department of Health: 24/7 HOTLINE: 1-800-803-7847

CAPS Process Changes

CAPS will also temporarily adjust operational procedures to protect the health of students and its mental health clinicians.

  • Emergency and same day in-person mental health services will remain available for students who are able to come to CAPS; however, must call 479-575-5276 prior to arriving.
  • On-going CAPS clients will also receive a phone call or secure email from their mental health clinician and be provided additional information on how to continue care.
  • CAPS can also assist students that are no longer in the Northwest Arkansas area with finding local mental health services within their community.
  • In-person psychiatry services will continue for the time being. CAPS psychiatrists will continue to prescribe and authorize medication refills to the best of their ability in accordance with local, state and federal laws. Students can request prescription refills through the Patient Web Portal at myhealth.uark.edu.  

A complete overview of changes for mental health services can be found at health.uark.edu.

Additional health center operational impacts will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis and be communicated via the Arkansas Newswire, the university's COVID-19 resource site and health center social media channels.

Follow @uofahealth on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on health center changes.

 

Contacts

Zac Garrett Brown, assistant director of communications
Pat Walker Health Center
479-575-4649, zacharyb@uark.edu

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