JUNEAU – SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) introduced its After Hours Nurse Triage Line as a free resource to obtain healthcare information and triaging services when the local clinic is not open. This service is available exclusively to patients of SEARHC, initially in outlying primary care clinics, and eventually in Juneau; making reliable health information provided by Registered Nurses just a phone call away.

It is not unusual for a health question to arise that one may not know how to handle and is often outside of clinic hours.

Does the issue require a visit to the emergency facility, a call to the doctor, or is it something one might try to handle with proper home care? The free After Hours Nurse Triage Line offers advice to SEARHC patients for things as simple as what over the counter remedies are appropriate for an individual’s cold symptoms and as complex as explaining what a patient’s new medication is for. These nurses are also available and can help advise patients during, what may be a more serious and extremely stressful, health-related situation.

Additionally, all patients will be able to access a downloadable link via Smartphone or computer, which has an extensive library from which people are able to assess their immediate health concern/issue. If necessary, the application will direct them to call the triage line for further assistance. Most importantly, access to these professionals provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing this resource is available.

Living in one of Southeast Alaska’s outlying areas presents a unique set of challenges. Creating availability to the After Hours Nurse Triage Line eliminates at least one of those challenges. It may be accessed easily by calling a toll-free number, (800) 613-0560, and will be officially rolled out first to Kake, Angoon, Hoonah, and Prince of Wales Island on February 26^th, with Haines, Klukwan, and Pelican coming on line by the end of March. Juneau can expect the service to be added in late spring.

In SEARHC’s continuing effort to provide patients with access to quality health resources, adding an after-hours option was the logical next step. Keep in mind, however, that this service is not a substitute for one’s relationship with a regular provider, but an excellent supplement to that relationship.