UPDATE: Three Rivers Hospital notes that the clinic is not actually free, as was previously reported in the newspaper – there may be charges for care. Health care insurance will be accepted.
Three Rivers Hospital and Aero Methow Rescue Service are partnering to host an urgent care clinic over Memorial Day weekend.
The clinic will be led by Erica Hickson, ARNP. A Methow Valley resident, Hickson helped host the first two urgent care clinics last year, the first during the Carlton Complex Fire.
The clinic will be at Aero Methow in Twisp on Friday (May 22) from 5 – 9 p.m.; Saturday (May 23) from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday (May 24) from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; and Monday (May 25) from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Because the clinic won’t have immediate access to lab or radiology services, Hickson will treat basic injuries or illness such as urinary tract infections, mild dehydration, ear infections, mild coughs, wounds and lacerations not requiring X-ray.
“Any patient with multiple co-morbidities, complex illness or injuries or illnesses requiring labs or X-ray will be sent to the hospital for evaluation,” she said.
“When both roads to the hospitals [Highway 20 and Highway 153] were closed during the fires, Erica couldn’t get to work and offered to see patients at our facility,” Aero Methow Director Cindy Button said. “Erica obtained permission from the hospital administration and Dr. James Wallace and obtained supplies that were shuttled via Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office. We prepared our room with supplies, cots, a stretcher, and all the necessary paperwork.”
During the fire, Hickson provided urgent care for minor injuries and illnesses to those who did not need to be hospitalized or need tests provided by a hospital, Button said.
Hickson was invited back to provide another urgent care clinic last Labor Day weekend, and again for this Memorial Day. The clinic held on Labor Day weekend last year was a success, both for patients and for Hickson.
“I learned a ton,” she said. “We had tremendous teamwork from Aero Methow and I enjoyed working with them.”
Three Rivers Hospital CEO Scott Graham said it’s important to the hospital to be available to Methow Valley residents, especially during times of crisis.
“We’re grateful to Erica and Aero Methow for their creative collaboration in making sure residents were well-cared for during the Carlton Complex Fire, and we’re happy to continue those clinics on major holiday weekends,” Graham said.
