Page Memorial Hospital in Luray is offering a drive-up flu clinic for its patients.

Nurses stand by the north entrance of the hospital waiting for patients to drive into the parking lot. Patients are given the paper work to fill out in their cars.

Once a doctor is ready to see them, a nurse will escort the patient into a hospital exam room to minimize contact with other people.

Dr. Jeff Feit, who came up with the idea for the clinic, says they're doing it for a number of reasons.

"We are doing it primarily to make sure the people that come to our clinics with non-flu illness are safe. We're trying to reduce their exposure to influenza," says Feit.

Carla Woodward, the medical practice manager for the health clinic at Page Memorial, says they're getting great feedback for the drive-through clinic.

"We've gotten tremendous response for it. They find it really convenient. If they're really sick they like staying in their car. Some of them put the seat back and sleep, they stay in their pajamas," says Woodward.

Patients enjoy the fact that they can wait in their cars with children as well.

"This way they're not running around trying to go crazy in the place. But I haven't gotten to the wait yet. We'll see what the waits like," says Sheri Davis, a grandmother of three sick children.

Feit says this has been a team effort and could not have been accomplished without everyone's help.

"One of the nurses that we have here is actually volunteering. Tina Switzer is an RN and we can't thank her enough for her help. It's a big deal for a mother of three to come out to help, knowing that she could get exposed, and we really appreciate her commitment," says Feit.

The clinic has been running since October 15 and will continue operating on weekdays as needed. Patients will be seen on a first come, first served basis but doctors prefer that patients call in advance to set up an appointment at 540-743-2887.