BEND, OR -- Central Oregon will experience a serious uptick in population over the next 10 days, and with more people come more health concerns. Eclipse viewers are expected to start pouring into the area, Wednesday. Lisa Goodman, with St. Charles Health System, says they're taking steps to make sure medical care is available to visitors and residents in the week surrounding the eclipse.
Goodman tells KBND News, "St. Charles will have some clinics with extended hours: our Immediate Care East clinic at 2600 NE Neff Rd in Bend, our Family Care Redmond at 211 NW Larch Ave, our Family Care Prineville at 384 SE Combs Flat Rd, and our Family Care Madras at 480 NE A St, will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m." Those extended hours will be in effect August 16-23. "We are anticipating we will see more patients than usual through that week and so we are preparing accordingly." Goodman recommends visiting these clinics before the emergency room, if possible. She says they're trying to keep ERs from being inundated with lesser emergencies, "We just want to make sure that people are prepared to take care of themselves that week and that, if needed, they have the ability to get access to health care services."
"We want this to be a fun and enjoyable week for everyone in the area," says Goodman, "But, we also want everyone to be safe. So, please take care to be prepared with some of your basic needs covered: water, food, fuel, and certainly, if you have a medical condition, and you think you might need access to health care in a hurry, be sure you're able to get there." And, she says people with potentially urgent conditions should make sure they stick close to a hospital. "If you're pregnant, or if you have another medical condition that might require care, make sure you're having conversations with your provider in advance, so that your care is coordinated. If you need to have any medications filled or picked up from a pharmacy that you do so before that week, as well."
Eclipse Coverage on KBND is supported in part by Awnings Unlimited. Shade yourself from the sun with Awnings Unlimited at 5541-389-1619 and awningsunlimited.net.
