St. Luke’s Clinic – Family Medicine on Aviation Drive in Hailey is expanding access to walk-in care, available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, beginning Dec 1. Walk-in care remains available at St. Luke's Clinic – Family Medicine: Ketchum at 100 Hospital Drive, Physician Office Annex, Suite 109 on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are pleased to offer this expanded access for non-life threatening illness and injuries,” said Amber Weber, Senior Manager, St. Luke’s Family Medicine. “If you can’t get in immediately to see your primary care doctor, don’t have a doctor, or are visiting from out of town, you can walk in for medical care and potentially avoid a trip to the emergency department.” 

Lab and X-ray are available as well as access to language services. Holidays may impact scheduled days and times.

When to go to a hospital emergency department

An emergency is any life-threatening or serious condition, such as those listed below. Call 911 immediately or go directly to the nearest emergency department in the case of:

• Chest pain
• Stroke
• Trauma
• Head injury
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of consciousness or confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Seizure
• Severe bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain in pregnancy
• Broken bones
• Severe allergic reactions
• Major burns

When to go to a walk-in clinic/urgent care/same-day clinic

For illnesses or injuries that require immediate attention but are not life-threatening, call your doctor or go to a walk-in clinic. Urgent care facilities are equipped to provide last-minute care, but they can’t always handle life-threatening conditions. Conditions that require immediate attention, but are not life-threatening include:

• Fever
• Ear pain
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Respiratory illness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Urinary infection
• Sprains and strains
• Minor broken bones
• Puncture wounds and lacerations
• Mild allergic reactions
• Rashes
• Minor burns

Walk-in care not a replacement for primary care

“Walk-in appointments are for immediate, urgent medical needs. They’re not intended to replace the routine care you receive from your primary care provider, such as your annual exam or routine follow-up care,” explains Tiffany Wohlwend, PA, St. Luke’s Clinic – Family Medicine in Hailey. She adds, “It is important to continue to keep up to date on preventive care. Apart from disease screenings, the annual wellness exam is beneficial to answer questions about health and lifestyle choices while presenting an opportunity to help steer patients in a healthy direction. When you schedule an annual wellness exam, you are making an important decision to take responsibility for your health and quality of life.”

Virtual care options

For some health problems, a phone call or video call with a medical provider can save time and money. Virtual care utilizes a computer, phone or other device to connect with a doctor or nurse. Visits can be scheduled or on-demand, depending on the need.

St. Luke's offers on-demand virtual care services seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., if appropriate depending on the symptoms.

Patients can simply log in to their MyChart account, answer a few questions about their symptoms, and begin a virtual visit with the next available St. Luke's primary care provider. The doctor or nurse can ask questions. They may be able to check blood pressure, pulse, and other body functions through special tools connected to the computer. Patients may still have to wait a bit, as they would at an in-person urgent care clinic.

Patients can also contact their primary care provider or specialist to inquire about utilizing MyChart and scheduling telehealth visits. Within MyChart patients can additionally message their provider with simple questions, request prescription refills, view test results, schedule appointments and e-check-in for an upcoming visit via MyChart. 

For those looking for a primary care provider, call the St. Luke's Center for Community Health at (208) 727-8733 for help.  

About St. Luke’s Clinic – Family Medicine

St. Luke’s Clinic – Family Medicine provides comprehensive health care for patients of all ages. Our team of experienced physicians and physician assistants is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care. We offer a wide range of services, including:

• Well-child exams and immunizations
• Adult physicals and preventive care
• Management of chronic conditions
• Treatment of acute illnesses and injuries
• Women’s health care
• Pediatric care