Drive-thru labs and vaccines is the most ingenious and convenient healthcare associated appointment…read moreI can think of! I'm honestly I'm kicking myself for not thinking of this location as a resource sooner.
Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure the drive-thru idea came into fruition amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This Norton Healthcare Express Service Center is quite literally an old Valvoline or Jiffy Lube turned drive-thru labs, vaccines, EKGs, and a handful of other quick in and out services.
Full disclosure, I am a newer Norton Employee, but have been a patient and big fan of the way I've been treated as a patient for many, many years. Norton offers a health rewards program for employees. I basically earned points for being in good health. Some of those metrics are things like blood pressure, cholesterol levels and absence of nicotine.
Wanting to ensure I earn the maximum healthcare benefit, my Doc ordered a set of labs back in early September. My PCP and typical Norton office location is amazing, but with my insanely busy work/nursing school schedule, I just wasn't finding a convenient, early morning time to fast and drive over for labs. I knew that I could pop into just about any Norton location to have labs drawn at any time, but I kept forgetting to fast, or didn't have time to park, go through the registration process, go sit and wait, etc.
Today, I finally had a day off and I made a point to fast so I could drive to the closest Norton location and knock labs off of my to-do list. I figured I would swing by Norton Women & Children's in St. Matthews, since it is the closest location to my house. Before leaving home, I decided to hop on the Norton website just to see if a closer location presented itself. The website reminded me of this location, where I could have labs and vaccinations taken quickly, and from my car. I'd gone here during Covid to receive one or two vaccinations, so I was familiar with the location and ease. Like Taylor Swift, I just forgot that it (you) existed. Silly me.
This Express Center is in Hike's Point, an extra mile further than NWAC from St. Mat's. No big deal. I pulled up to the garage door and waited less than 2 minutes. The door opened, I drove in, they got my information and pulled up my medical record. They could see exactly what labs were ordered, and asked me if I'd like to take the urine analysis at the same time.
I'd forgotten about the U/A, so I had just emptied my bladder before leaving home. They were patient with me as I chugged water, then had me sit in my car as they rolled a little lab cart over to draw my blood. A minute later they showed me the restroom and handed me a specimen cup. Having peed 15 mins ago, I was only able to produce about 15 ML. I asked the lady at the computer if that was enough, or if I should swing around to the parking lot and wait a few minutes until my kidneys did their thing. She wasn't sure, so she walked inside to ask. The lab folks told her that 15 ML's should be sufficient, so they sent me on my way.
These labs have been looming on my to-do list for over a month. It felt great to knock off the task, and to do so quickly, conveniently, on my schedule-- no appointment needed! The entire appointment took less than 10 minutes. I didn't have to schedule a time, I didn't have to wait to be seen, I was literally able to choose a time that worked best for me, pop in my car, drive over, and get it done. How cool is that? If I had needed my flu shot, I could've also gotten that while I was there, too!
I have long been a fan of Norton Healthcare, but experiences like this are icing on the cake. The convenience and access to kind people, competent, quality care, is just an another example of how they raise the bar. Next time I need labs or a vaccination, I'll be sure to remember this location exists and makes things oh so easy. 5 stars. 10/10 recommend.