Island Primary Care-Orcas set to begin operations on April 1

||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL |||

ANACORTES, Washington – Island Hospital has partnered with Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) to operate a primary care clinic on Orcas Island. As of April 1, 2021, Orcas Island residents can receive high-quality primary care and after-hours services at Island Primary Care-Orcas. With the merging of two existing Orcas Island clinics to a single practice, residents have local access to community-based care with an enhanced breadth of services.

“I am delighted that Island Hospital and Orcas Island Health Care District share a vision of what the future of healthcare looks like for its residents,” states Island Hospital CEO, Charles Hall, MSN, MBA. “By coming together, we remain committed to meeting the needs of patients through shared values that strengthen and improve healthcare, keeping the focus on a continuum of care. We are moving forward with due diligence, implementing best practices with the promise of providing uncompromising healthcare, the Island Hospital way.” 

A transition team of four expert Island Hospital providers will be leading clinical operations and training, ensuring the highest standard of healthcare delivery. This clinical team will navigate the path forward for the Orcas Island clinic to offer best-in-class care and specialized services. The Orcas community will benefit from the expanded specialty care services in a comfortable environment closer to home. Clinic manager, Aaimee Johnson, CRHCP, will oversee the day-to-day management and administrative operations to optimize patient care. Johnson is an Orcas Island resident with more than 16 years of healthcare leadership.

“We have been on this journey for a long time to find a way to ensure all the members of our community have access to high-quality primary care and same-day, as well as after-hours acute care in a financially sustainable and cost-effective manner,” states Arthur Langer, President of the OIHCD. “I am confident that our relationship with Island Hospital will allow us to attain that goal.”

ISLAND PRIMARY CARE-ORCAS PATIENT CHECKLIST

The following items are useful reminders for patients as they transition care to Island Primary Care-Orcas.

Schedule an Appointment

☐   Beginning March 15, patients will be able to schedule appointments Island Primary Care-Orcas by calling 360-293-3101. Patient appointments will be scheduled for April 5, 2021 and beyond.

• Please note: Patients will initally see an Island Hospital transition provider until they can establish care with a permanent Island Primary Care provider.
• As Island Hospital builds the provider team, patients who are ill or who need to manage chronic conditions will be given priority. As such, Island Hospital will be limiting well visits and annual physicals to ensure patients with the greatest need receive priority.
• Patients already established with Island Hospital may use the portal to request an appointment beginning March 15.

Sign up for Electronic Medical Records

☐   Following their first appointment at Island Primary Care-Orcas, patients will have access to myIslandHealth portal to view medication lists, immunization records, lab results and more.

UW Medicine Patient Coverage Plan March 27 – 31, 2021

☐   The last day of patient care at the UW Medicine clinic will be Friday, March 26. From March 27 to 31, UW Medicine will offer telehealth appointments and Orcas Family Health Clinic (OFHC) will provide same-day or after-hours care for anyone needing to see a provider.

After-hours care: Contact your UW provider by calling 360-376-2561.

Patient Coverage Plan April 1 – 4, 2021

☐   During this week, Island Hospital will be implementing new employee orientation, provider and staff training and IT set up. Appointments on April 1 and 2 will be provided by Island Hospital via telehealth appointments. Call 360-293-3101 to schedule. On April 5, in-person visits for Island Primary Care will begin.

After-hours Care: Call 360-293-3101 to connect with a triage nurse.

Request Records

☐   You may complete a Records Release Form now. They are available for pick up at either Orcas clinics or on the Island Hospital website at: https://www.islandhospital.org/orcas/.