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News Release

Media Contacts:
Christina Chavira
Communications Specialist
530.332.5589 - office; 530.588.4411 - cell
christina.chavira@enloe.org   

Enloe PromptCare Clinic to extend hours on Halloween

Enloe also urges people to be aware of their friends who drink excessively

CHICO, Calif., Oct. 28, 2008 – In anticipation of increased patient volume in the Emergency Department on Halloween, Enloe Medical Center will extend the hours of its PromptCare Clinic on Cohasset Road. The urgent-care clinic, which treats people with minor injuries and illnesses, will stay open until midnight on Friday, Oct. 31. It normally closes at 9:30 p.m. Enloe will also open its Command Center to help direct any needed resources that night, and has staffed additional employees in the Emergency Department and Cohasset Prompt Care Clinic.

“Our Emergency Room has seen fewer injuries on Halloween, but with Halloween falling on a Friday this year, we anticipate an increase in assaults and vehicular trauma associated with alcohol,” said Alivia Strawn, RN, Nurse Manager of the Enloe Emergency Department.

Alcohol poisoning is another concern. Those who have had excessive amounts of alcohol should be evaluated by a medical professional in the Emergency Room if they are experiencing any of the following warning signs: inability to stand or walk; poor awareness of surroundings; difficulty breathing; passed out or is in a stuporous state; fever or chills; difficulty speaking or identifying oneself to others; or has consumed a large quantity of alcohol, or chugged, or ingested other sedating or tranquilizing drugs.

An increase of potentially serious and critical patients in the Emergency Department could create longer waits for others experiencing minor injuries and illnesses. To help patients with minor injuries and illnesses be seen in a timely fashion on Oct. 31, Enloe will extend the hours of Prompt Care Clinic on Cohasset Road. On that day only, the clinic will maintain extended hours, from 10 a.m. to midnight. It is normally open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., seven days a week. It is located at 560 Cohasset Road in Chico. The phone number is 530.332.4111.

An urgent care clinic is the appropriate place for treatment of minor injuries and illnesses, however those who feel they are having a medical emergency, should go to the Emergency Department or call 911.

About Enloe PromptCare: Enloe’s PromptCare Clinics are staffed and equipped to evaluate and treat medical illnesses and injuries that need punctual attention but are not life threatening. Physicians and nurse practitioners who are experienced in minor emergency care are on hand to assess and treat problems such as the flu and colds, cuts, sore throats, earaches, sprains, fractures, back strains, bronchitis and minor burns. On-site X-ray is also available. Both Prompt Care Clinics accept Medicare/MediCal and most forms of medical insurance. For more information about Enloe’s PromptCare Clinics, visit www.enloe.org/promptcare.

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Enloe Medical Center is a local, nonprofit health care organization. For more information, please call 530/332-7300 or visit us online at http://www.enloe.org.   Enloe Medical Center is located at 1531 Esplanade Chico, Calif.  95926.