UI Family Care at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has opened a series of walk-in hours clinics in Johnson County. Harriet Echternacht, MD, medical director of UI QuickCare, talks about UI QuickCare:
What is UI QuickCare?
UI QuickCare is three walk-in clinics in our community that provide convenient care for common illnesses not serious enough to go to the emergency room.
Examples would be an early urinary tract infection, sore throat, or cold—things that people want to be seen on the day of illness and can’t get into their doctor or it’s after hours. Again, it can avoid an emergency room visit.
We offer sports physicals to be sure kids are healthy enough to participate in sports. We also offer employment physicals such as health care workers to be sure they’re free of illness or injury before going on the job. I might add, though, that these physicals don’t replace the need to see one’s regular physician yearly. It’s important for kids to see their regular doctor to get immunizations and have discussions about teenage issues, high risk behavior, and emotional issues that come up. Notes from the visit can be sent to anyone’s doctor and we hope that everyone will want their UI QuickCare visit notes to be sent to their regular doctor.
Where are the clinics located?
We have three locations.
- UI Family Care—North Liberty, Lions Drive and Hwy 965. Phone 319-626-5692.
- UI Family Care—SE Iowa City, Scott Boulevard and Muscatine Avenue. Phone 319-248-2877.
- Downtown on the first floor of Old Capitol Mall on Clinton Street. Phone 319-384-0520.
Free parking is available at all locations.
What are UI QuickCare hours?
North Liberty and SE Iowa City clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Saturday morning, 8 a.m. to noon.
The Old Capital location downtown is open on Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed from 1:30 to 2 p.m. daily. As of August 23, the Saturday hours will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How are UI QuickCare clinics staffed?
We have talented physician assistants and advanced nurse practitioners staffing our clinics. We stress up-to-date standards of care, including appropriate antibiotic use. Occasionally, one of our doctors will fill in.
Who are the clinics intended for?
Anyone over six months of age. We feel patients under six months of age should be seen by their pediatrician or in the emergency room.
Can someone be seen in UI QuickCare with a sprained ankle? How about a broken arm?
I would not go to the ER for a simple sprain. We can see people for those. We have splints for wrist and finger sprains.
A broken arm—no. That should be taken to an emergency room with an x-ray and other interventions. People with serious illness should go to the emergency room.
Do UI QuickCare clinics make appointments?
Not now. We are trying to keep up with patients as they come in. We’ve added staff at certain times, but right now it’s a walk-in clinic—first come, first served—and hopefully it won’t be too long a visit.
Where can people find out more about the clinic services and a list of costs?
Our Web site www.uihealthcare.com/quickcare has costs and information about different illnesses and things appropriate for QuickCare. |
