The Urgent Care clinic at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin has a new name. Effective Jan. 11, 2021, Riverwood Same Day Clinic will replace the urgent care name.
The Riverwood Same Day Clinic will continue to offer the same high quality care as previously offered through the urgent care clinic. Walk-in care is available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Same Day Clinic will expand access by offering additional same-day appointments via face-to-face and virtual visits.
“Our goal with this change is to expand access to medical care for our community,” explained Dan Schletty, director of ambulatory care at Riverwood. “Establishing a primary care provider is essential for ongoing care and health maintenance. We have implemented strategies to enhance access to primary care services but realize your primary care provider may not always have same-day availability.”
Schletty added: “The Same Day Clinic will ensure our patients have access to same-day care through walk-in services and scheduled appointments. Both face-to-face visits and virtual visits can be scheduled through the Same Day Clinic. This change will not only improve access but should reduce the likelihood of unexpected wait times. Patients are encouraged to call ahead for appointment availability.”
For same-day care availability, call Riverwood’s clinic appointment line at (218) 927-2157. Same-day care does not replace the need for a primary care provider for routine and ongoing medical care.
“After a same day visit, we ensure patients are scheduled with their primary care providers for any follow-up needs,” Schletty said. “With our team-based approach, our staff works very closely with our primary care providers and the respective care teams to optimize care for the patients we serve.”
The lead providers who staff Riverwood’s Same Day Clinic include Physician Assistant Tammy Berg, Nurse Practitioner Amy Thesing and Nurse Practitioner Karen Bartron-Sundeen. These providers are experienced in treating adults and children for many common illnesses and injuries.
Same-day care providers treat a wide range of medical issues that are not quite an emergency but still require quick medical attention. Common ailments that can be addressed with same-day care services include cold, cough or respiratory symptoms; stomach flu, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; respiratory/sinus infection; sore throat/strep throat; earache or infection; Pink eye; simple cuts and lacerations; bladder or urinary tract infections; tick bites; minor burns and more.
Riverwood also operates a Saturday clinic, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Aitkin. Schedule appointments in advance at (218) 927-2157.