Kona Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Center

06/04/2020

Call now for information 808-747-8321

04/28/2020

Ali'i Health Center continues to offer Telehealth Prescreening by phone (808-747-8321, option 5) WHO SHOULD BE “SCREENED” AND WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL?

High Exposure regardless of presence or absence of symptoms: Recent travel, Known contact with +COVID individual, First Responders, Airport/TSA worker, Healthcare worker, Taxi/Uber/ Bus drivers, etc

High Risk regardless of presence or absence of symptoms: 65 years and older, heart and lung conditions, diabetes, immunocompromised, etc

Low exposure/low risk with possible symptoms including: nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, redness in or around eyes, fever, cough, shortness of breath

”Screening” is a brief visit with a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant to identify whether COVID-19 testing should be ordered

Telehealth pre-screening is done over the phone, ideally by video conference, from the safe- ty and comfort of your home.

WHO SHOULD BE “TESTED” AND WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL?

Those identified during a screening visit by a medical provider to need a lab test to check for COVID-19 infection

A nasopharyngeal swab is obtained by a trained RN and then sent to a private lab to be test- ed for presence of COVID-19 virus.
We are currently receiving results from labs in 3-5 days
All patients are notified by phone of results, whether positive or negative.

If outside medical providers have already screened their patient and determined testing is indicated, they simply can send a direct order by fax to General Surgery attention: Remy Grace. Referring provider will be listed as ordering provider and therefore responsible for notifying patient with results and reporting to DOH if needed.

-Alternatively, if patient needs medical screening and provider unable to do so, they should direct them to call for Telehealth Pre-screening at 808-747-8321, option 5, or to be screened on site. In this case, referring provider will be sent copy of lab results but Alii Health will notify patient of results and reporting to DOH if needed.
-Currently receiving results in 2-6 days.
-Telehealth prescreening available M-F 8-4:30

04/09/2020

DRIVE-THRU COVID-19 SCREENING & TESTING
THURSDAY 4/9 KEAUHOU SHOPPING CENTER
8a-NOON
*Bring Photo ID & Insurance (but neither required)
*Wear a fabric mask or scarf if possible
*Keep windows rolled up unless under screening or testing tent
*High-risk and high-exposure individuals encouraged to be screened for testing, regardless of presence or absence of symptoms
*We are currently receiving test results in 2-5 days, you WILL be contacted by Alii Health Staff by phone whether positive or negative

04/05/2020

Stay at Home Order and expanded testing on Big Island seems to be working to contain the spread of COVID-19!!!

Ali'i Health Center continues to offer Telehealth Prescreening by phone (808-747-8321, option 5) and Drive-thru Screening & Testing on Mon/Thurs 8A-noon at Keauhou Shopping Center.

WHO SHOULD BE “SCREENED” AND WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL?
*High Exposure regardless of presence or absence of symptoms: Recent travel, Known contact with +COVID individual, First Responders, Airport/TSA worker, Healthcare worker, Taxi/Uber/Bus drivers, etc
*High Risk regardless of presence or absence of symptoms: 65 years and older, heart and lung conditions, diabetes, immunocompromised, etc
*Low exposure/low risk with possible symptoms including: nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, redness in or around eyes, fever, cough, shortness of breath
*”Screening” is a brief visit with a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant to identify whether COVID-19 testing should be ordered
*Telehealth pre-screening is done over the phone, ideally by video conference, from the safety and comfort of your home.
*On-site screening is done from your car in person.

WHO SHOULD BE “TESTED” AND WHAT DOES THAT ENTAIL?
*Those identified during a screening visit by a medical provider to need a lab test to check for COVID-19 infection
*A nasopharyngeal swab is obtained by a trained RN and then sent to a private lab to be tested for presence of COVID-19 virus.
*We are currently receiving results from labs in 3-5 days
*All patients are notified by phone of results, whether positive or negative.

03/31/2020

WE WILL BE TESTING AT OUR KEAUHOU LOCATION 78-6831 Alii Dr #232, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 MONDAYS & THURSDAYS 8am -12pm

STARTING APRIL 2nd PLEASE CALL 808-747-8321, option 5

Aliihealthcenter.com

03/27/2020

03/27/2020

Saturday March 28th Drive-Thru, COVID-19 Testing in Kona
A pop-up drive-thru testing clinic for COVID-19 will be set up at the Old Kona Airport Park on Saturday, March 28th from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. To expedite the testing process, patients can contact Ali`i Health Center’s COVID-19 hotline at (808) 747-8321 option 5. Ali`i Health Center has teamed up with Premier Medical Group in conjunction with The County of Hawaii to expand COVID-19 testing in West Hawaii.
This clinic is open to the public; however, individuals must first undergo a screening to determine if they meet the criteria to be tested. Ali’i Health Center providers on-site will determine whether individuals meet the testing guidelines. The screening criteria will be based on guidance from the CDC and the State’s COVID-19 Response Task Force.
“We need to better understand what is going on in West Hawaii. The best way to do that is by increasing testing and identifying those people that are positive, isolating them and then perform contact tracing” - Dr. Nathan Tomita, Ali`i Health Center’s Medical Director
Fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste, redness in or around eyes, sore throat, and diarrhea are the screened symptoms of COVID-19. Other factors that will determine eligibility for testing include travel history, frequency of exposure to visitors from outside Hawai`i, and frequency of exposure to vulnerable or high-risk populations.
People who visit the screening clinic will be asked to show photo ID. Additionally, people are requested to bring any health insurance cards they have, although insurance is not required.
"It is amazing to see volunteers come together in a coordinated effort to provide testing for our community. We at Ali`i Health Center are dedicated to ensure our `Ohana have access to this much needed resource”- Clayton McGhan, Ali’i Health Center’s Executive Director

03/25/2020

aliihealthcenter.com

03/10/2020

Even if COVID-19 is unavoidable, delaying infections can flatten the peak number of illnesses to within hospital capacity and significantly reduce deaths.

03/10/2020

Even if COVID-19 is unavoidable, delaying infections can flatten the peak number of illnesses to within hospital capacity and significantly reduce deaths.

02/21/2020

On Island all the time! Kona Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery Center