Patient Care
I Need/Have an Upcoming Appointment with a Physician
Can I get health care from home?
We are making telehealth even easier. Many of our patients are experiencing great success having virtual visits with their care providers. Keck Medicine sees more than 1,000 patients daily through its virtual platform.
If you have any questions about how to schedule your first telehealth appointment, we have created a page on our website to guide you, complete with tutorials on how to set up the USC TeleCARE platform on your computer or smartphone. All Keck Medicine health care providers are credentialed to practice telehealth to ensure we can serve you as quickly and safely as possible. Call (800) USC-CARE (800-872-2273), and one of our representatives will help schedule your virtual visit with your doctor.
Can I get a COVID-19 diagnostic test?
Patients can access COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Your physician can order these tests for you, by appointment. Whether you are an existing patient or would like to become a patient, our team can help connect you with a Keck Medicine provider regarding COVID-19 testing. For assistance, please call (800) USC-CARE (800-872-2273).
Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Keck Medicine is following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and booster. When the COVID-19 vaccine and booster become available to you, we strongly encourage that you receive them. You can schedule your COVID-19 vaccination appointment via California’s statewide system, My Turn. You can access more information about the COVID-19 vaccine here.
Is it safe for me to come to a Keck Medicine location?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Keck Medicine has reported strong staffing levels, sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies and regular and ongoing employee testing for COVID-19. During this time, our health care teams have safely provided urgent non-COVID-19 care using robust infection prevention that is in line with guidance from local governance and professional medical organizations.
We have implemented the following safety precautions:
- Beginning March 1, 2022, all eligible Keck Medicine of USC health care workers, volunteers, vendors or contractors must be fully vaccinated, including boosters, against COVID-19. Keck Medicine staff who are not fully vaccinated must complete mandatory weekly or twice-weekly COVID-19 testing and wear an N95 mask.
- All visitors are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted before visiting a patient in our hospitals. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors are eligible for indoor visits only if they can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test — 48 hours prior to visitation for a PCR test and 24 hours prior to visitation for an antigen test. This policy does not apply to patients seeking care, unless directed by their health care team.
- Before entering our buildings, all patients, staff and doctors are screened for COVID-19 symptoms, including fever. They are all provided with a face mask, which must be worn.
- Hand sanitizer is widely available, and we encourage its use.
- Physical distancing practices are in effect, including in waiting areas and elevators.
- Doctors and staff are using the proper PPE for all visits.
- Our facilities are continuously cleaned and our clinical areas, including examination rooms, are thoroughly cleaned before and after all visits.
- If a visitor has any fever, cough or shortness of breath, they will not be allowed to enter our buildings.
If I come to a Keck Medicine of USC location for an outpatient visit, are there any visitor restrictions in place?
To protect our patients, visitors and staff from the spread of COVID-19, enhanced visitor restrictions are in place until further notice. You can access our current visitor policy here.
We appreciate your understanding as we continue to make adjustments to our policies and procedures to protect our patients and staff.
I Need/Have an Upcoming Surgery or Procedure
My surgery/procedure was delayed due to COVID-19. When will it be rescheduled?
Rescheduling delayed surgeries and procedures is our top priority. If you have a surgery or procedure that was delayed due to COVID-19, you can expect to hear from your Keck Medicine health care provider very soon.
It is recommended that all patients undergoing a high-risk procedure get tested for COVID-19 within 48-72 hours prior to their procedure. Your physician can order these tests for you, by appointment. We recommend being tested at a Keck Medicine facility to ensure a sufficient turnaround time. If you have questions, please reach out to us at (800) USC-CARE (800-872-2273).
Is it safe for me to come to a Keck Medicine location?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Keck Medicine has reported strong staffing levels, sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies and regular and ongoing employee testing for COVID-19. During this time, our health care teams have safely provided urgent non-COVID-19 care using robust infection prevention that is in line with guidance from local governance and professional medical organizations
We have implemented the following safety precautions:
- Beginning March 1, 2022, all eligible Keck Medicine of USC health care workers, volunteers, vendors or contractors must be fully vaccinated, including boosters, against COVID-19. Keck Medicine staff who are not fully vaccinated must complete mandatory weekly or twice-weekly COVID-19 testing and wear an N95 mask.
- All visitors are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted before visiting a patient in our hospitals. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors are eligible for indoor visits only if they can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test — 48 hours prior to visitation for a PCR test and 24 hours prior to visitation for an antigen test. This policy does not apply to patients seeking care, unless directed by their health care team.
- Before entering our buildings, all patients, staff and doctors are screened for COVID-19 symptoms, including fever. They are all provided with a face mask, which must be worn.
- Hand sanitizer is widely available, and we encourage its use.
- Physical distancing practices are in effect, including in waiting areas and elevators.
- Doctors and staff are using the proper PPE for all visits.
- Our facilities are continuously cleaned and our clinical areas, including examination rooms, are thoroughly cleaned before and after all visits.
- If a visitor has any fever, cough or shortness of breath, they will not be allowed to enter our buildings.
If I come to a Keck Medicine of USC location, are there any visitor restrictions in place?
Out of an abundance of caution, enhanced visitor restrictions are in place. You can access our current visitor policy here. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to make adjustments to our policies and procedures to protect our patients and staff.
I Need Emergent Care
If you are a Keck Medicine patient, Keck Medicine operates an Evaluation and Treatment Clinic (ETC) at Keck Hospital of USC that offers urgent, non-emergency services to treat medical issues such as a urinary tract infection or a complication from a chronic illness.
ETC visits are by appointment. Your Keck Medicine–affiliated care provider will refer you to the ETC, where staff have access to your medical records, as well as to laboratory and radiographic equipment so you can have lab work done or get an MRI, CT scan or X-ray. The ETC is open 24 hours a day and staffed by either an emergency medicine or internal medicine physician.
If you need immediate emergency care, please call 911 or visit the emergency room at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital or your local emergency department.
