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News Release

July 14, 2008

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

Enloe continues to ask public to use urgent care clinics
for minor injuries and illnesses

Enloe PromptCare at Cohasset maintains extended hours during this busy period

WHAT: Due to impact of the Butte County Lightning Complex Fires on our region, Enloe Medical Center’s Emergency Department has continued to see a heavy increase in patients since last week, and patients continue to experience long waits. In recent days, the number of patients treated in the Emergency Department has increased by about 80 percent per day, and the number of patients admitted to the hospital from the Emergency Department has risen by up to 23 percent per day. Many of these patients are being seen for minor injuries and illnesses.

To help meet the increased health care needs, on July 10, Enloe began extending hours of the Prompt Care Clinic on Cohasset Road, from 10 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. Enloe will continue to maintain these hours until the impact on the Emergency Department lessens, and it asks the public to use this clinic or another local urgent care clinic for minor illnesses and minor injuries. The waiting time at the Prompt Care Clinic on Cohasset Road is shorter than in the Emergency Department. Normally the Prompt Care Clinic on Cohasset Road is open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. In Paradise, Feather River Hospital expanded hours at the Feather River Health Center, 2125 Skyway, to provide primary care services and support for minor medical needs 24 hours a day; this facility is not equipped for medical emergencies. Feather River Hospital hopes to reopen its Emergency Department by this weekend.

While an urgent care clinic is an excellent place to be treated for minor injuries and illnesses, if you feel you are having a medical emergency, please visit the Emergency Department or call 911.

WHERE: Enloe’s Prompt Care Clinic on Cohasset Road is currently maintaining extended hours, from 10 a.m. to midnight. It is located at 560 Cohasset Road in Chico. The phone number is 530.332.4111. It’s open seven days a week, normally from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

ADDITIONAL
 INFORMATION:
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 at both locations, and the clinic at California Park offers pharmacy services. 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.