MDH Drive-Thru Opening March 8

MACOMB, Ill. – The convenience of drive-up medical services will return to McDonough District Hospital on Monday (March 8) when the MDH Drive-Thru officially opens for patients.

The five-month construction project concluded and staff members have been preparing the space in advance of the opening. COVID-19 testing will continue in the Drive-Thru (located on the south end of the MDH campus parking lot) seven days a week, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. MDH decided to open one hour earlier on the weekend.

MDH relocated Drive-Thru COVID-19 testing inside to the Emergency Department last month during the cold spell and has remained in that location the past four weeks. The routine lab draw services performed during the summer and fall halted as the temperatures fell. Now when the Drive-Thru opens Monday (March 8) outpatient laboratory blood draws will resume from the convenience of a patient’s vehicle.

“The MDH Drive-Thru is an extension of the MDH Laboratory Services Department and, initially, will provide specimen collection services, such as: adult and pediatric blood draws, COVID-19 tests, testing for Strep, RSV and Influenza, and also Flu Vaccination services (in-season) as well as urine collection,” said Adrian MacGregor, MDH Vice President for Business Development. “We’re pleased to offer our patients high-quality laboratory services with the convenience of a drive-thru concept. The positive feedback from our patients at the onset of COVID-19 about our drive-thru testing (tent) was the foundation for creating this facility.”

During the past 11 months inclement weather forced the temporary tent location to close on several occasions. MDH’s newest facility, a 4,000 square foot steel frame building, features an office area, testing area, and laboratory space all in a climate controlled location.

Following the move of COVID-19 testing to inside last month, MDH administration decided to take down the tent from the parking lot – a symbolic move in the hospital’s on-going safety and security measures during the pandemic.

Patients can save time by calling ahead (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) and pre-registering for their tests at (309) 836-1753.