Grand Opening held for Red Lake Hospital "Same Day Appointment Clinic" (SDAC)

Red Lake Indian Health Service and Red Lake Comprehensive Health Services Program announced that on June 6, 2011, the official opening of a new "Same Day Appointment Clinic" at the Red Lake Hospital. SDAC is located in what was formerly the old dental clinic area, which is off the main lobby area of the hospital.

On Thursday, August 11, they held their grand opening.

The Same Day Appointment Clinic was designed to provide healthcare for non-emergent medical needs of patients for a short or one time episode. It was further designed to deliver healthcare services in a timely and efficient manner.

SDAC consists of 7 exam rooms and is staffed by 2 Family Nurse Practitioners, 1 RN Nurse Manager, 2 LPN's and 1 receptionist. It has expanded clinic hours over the current Outpatient Clinic Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 7 PM, with the first appointment at 7:20 AM and the last appointment at 6:20 PM. On Friday, the schedule is 7 AM to 3:30 PM, with the first appointment at 7:20 AM and the last one at 2:50 PM.

Individuals will be able to call directly into the SDAC and get an appointment from the appointment clerk as soon as 6:30 AM. Appointments will be given out only on the same day and no appointments will be given for the next day or future days. Since the appointments are 20 minutes, it will be very important that patients show up at least 20 minutes before their appointment to register and be screened by the nurse.

Services provided typically includes non-emergency conditions that require prompt attention, same day illnesses or minor accidents requiring first aid treatment. These include acute illnesses such as earaches, backaches, muscle aches, urinary tract infections, sinus infections, colds, coughs and bronchitis, pink eye, red or itchy eyes, flu or flu-like symptoms, simple skin infections and rashes, concerns about STD's and pregnancy testing. Acute injuries include sprains, strains and bruises, small cuts or abrasions and simple foreigh body and ear wax removal.

The services SDAC does not provide, include sink infants less than 3 months old, severe dizziness, severe headaches, abdominal or belly pain, serious broken bones, deep lacerations, rectal bleeding, severe dehydration, vomiting blood, acute seizures, vaginal bleeding or miscarriages, fevers of 103 and higher, extensive lab tests, pregnancy complications or labor and deliver, refill of narcotics or controlled medications, and no scheduled IV therapy.

The Hospital Emergency Room will continue to serve as the proper place for emergency care.

Patients seeking routine care for a chronic condition such as diabetes will be referred to a primary care doctor in the regular clinic.

Staff members for the SDAC are Rachel Koch NP, Bonnie Conner NP, Cathy Dahlman RN, Tuesday Rose LPN, Deborah Garrigan LPN, and Lisa Defoe.

If you have any questions, feel free to call Eli Morin, Acting Outpatient Head Nurse at 679-3912, ext. 222