An outcome of the Redwoods Rural Health Center Board of Directors’ vision and strategic plan is expanding access to healthcare. Comfortable that RRHC’s financial position was stable and it had the capacity to expand access, the board directed the medical staff to recommend ways RRHC can make primary care more accessible to the community.
”All of us at RRHC were concerned that families with busy schedules were not able to see their medical provider during RRHC’s normal office hours. RRHC is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our clinic schedule conflicted with our patients’ work and school schedules,” said Eric Fimbres, RRHC Executive Director. The solution is a Saturday clinic.
RRHC launched the Saturday clinic in December 2007 and is open for patients from 9 a.m. until noon. RRHC’s medical providers, medical assistants, front desk, medical records and administrative staff began the planning process in October 2007. “This was definitely a team effort and it took some thought as to how the Saturday clinic would fit into our delivery model. Work schedules, the type of services offered, and minimizing interruptions to the clinic were all
RRHC reports that at first it was doubtful the Saturday clinic would be successful. At times only one or two patients would present and there were times there were no patients. But of late, the Saturday clinic seems to be gaining momentum. On May 10 all ten patient appointment slots were filled and on the previous Saturday, the center saw eight patients. The staff who’ve worked the Saturday clinic say it’s well worth the effort.
”I am so glad we were here for our patients,” said Marian Greenlaw, Medical Records Technician, “We’ve seen some really bad cases of poison oak and patients with painful conditions. It’s gratifying to know we were here for these patients. It’s no fun spending a weekend in discomfort.”
”I like the Saturday clinic because it allows me to help my patients who are also my friends,” said Mary Sanger, Family Nurse Practitioner and 30-year Southern Humboldt resident. “It also means our community can get the care they need without having to take time off from work. Everybody is busy so I like the idea of being able to help with making access a little bit easier.”
The medical providers are now talking about offering different types of clinics on Saturdays, such as women’s health. But continuing the Saturday clinic means there has to be a need. RRHC will continue to evaluate utilization and demand at least until the end of May. At that time, staff will make recommendations to the board if the Saturday clinic should be continued.
Redwoods Rural is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The health center is located on West Coast Road and is directly behind the California Highway Patrol building. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 707-923-2783.
Submitted by Redwoods Rural Health Center
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