IDAHO FALLS – There’s plenty of worry today about when and where to seek care for injury and illness, or if medical issues can be improved with home care.
To bring peace of mind, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center offers a free Consult-A-Nurse service. Specialty-trained registered nurses are available 24/7/365 to give clinical guidance, help people understand symptoms, and provide education about treatment options over the phone. Anybody, whether they are a patient or not, can use the service at no charge.
RN’s follow triage protocols to advise callers and provide information on a range of health topics, including children’s health, cardiac services, diabetes care, men’s and women’s health, neurology/stroke, orthopedics, sleep disorders, spine care, among many others.
The Consult-A-Nurse service is available at 208-227-2778.
“We’re proud to offer this service to the community free of charge, especially at a time when so many people have health-related questions. It allows for peace of mind and next step guidance, regardless of what the situation is. It’s an important resource when your primary care physician isn’t available, or if you don’t already have a doctor,” said Tami Frost, Chief Nursing Officer.
A recent Optum Consumer Pulse survey shows that 23 percent are still unlikely to go to an ER for a major illness today, including for symptoms of a heart attack or appendicitis. The CDC reported that ER visits declined 42 percent in April compared to the previous year.
“We need to change that paradigm,” Frost said. “EIRMC is a safe place to receive care, and it’s critical that people understand that for the sake of their own health. For those who remain hesitant to seek care in person, this service at least gives them a lifeline and starting point to get the care they need.”