Clinic Closures and Inclement Weather Protocol

Holiday Clinic Closures

Eastside Natural Medicine is closed for ALL federally recognized holidays.

If your bank is closed, we are closed too.

Ways to mitigate the challenge of holiday clinic closures this may bring yourself or your family:

Plan Ahead: Ideally, plan any non-urgent medical appointments or prescription refills well in advance of the holiday to avoid disruptions in your healthcare.
Check Clinic Information: Before the holiday, check our website and phone recording to plan for future clinic closures.
Medical Emergencies: If you experience a medical emergency during a holiday, such as a severe injury, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other life-threatening conditions, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Holidays should not deter you from seeking urgent medical attention.
Urgent Care Centers: If your condition is not life-threatening but requires immediate medical attention, consider visiting an urgent care center. These facilities often remain open during holidays and can provide treatment for a range of non-emergency medical issues.
Pharmacy Services: If you need prescription medications and your clinic is closed, check with your pharmacy. Some pharmacies, especially those located in retail stores, may remain open on holidays. Pharmacists can often assist with prescription refills or offer advice on managing medication-related concerns.
Patient Portal: Contact your provider via patient portal where your provider can offer instructions for handling non-urgent medical issues during the holiday closure.
Non-Urgent Concerns: If your issue can wait until the clinic reopens after the holiday, you can call us when we return to schedule an appointment or discuss your concerns.
After-hours Pager: On-call providers available for emergencies. f you need a physician's advice for an urgent medical concern outside of business hours, please page the physician on call at (866) 278-7336. Please note that there is a $60 fee for this service.

Inclement Weather Closures

In order to keep our patients, staff, and providers safe, our clinic is occasionally closed due to inclement weather such as snow.

As your providers, we will do everything in our power to move our visits to telemedicine assuming we can safely see you for your concern and have access to power/internet. However, occassionally, this will not be possible.

If we are closed due to inclement weather and do not have access for telemedicine, it's important to take appropriate steps to address your healthcare needs while ensuring your safety. Here's what you can do:

1. **Contact the Clinic:** Start by calling your healthcare clinic to confirm that it is indeed closed due to the weather. Our phone system or website will provide information about closures, hours of operation, or alternative contact methods during adverse weather conditions.

2. **Reschedule Appointments:** If you had a scheduled appointment on the day the clinic is closed, the clinic staff will contact you to reschedule. If we don't reach out to you, make sure to contact the clinic to reschedule your appointment for a later date.

3. **Medical Emergencies:** If you have a medical emergency, such as severe illness or injury, you should not wait for the clinic to reopen. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately for urgent medical care.

4. **Pharmacy Consultation:** If you need prescription refills or have questions about your medications, you can contact your pharmacy. Pharmacists can often provide guidance or contact your healthcare provider on your behalf for prescription renewals.
5. **Prescription Refills:** If you need a prescription refill and can't reach your healthcare provider due to the clinic closure, you may ask your pharmacy to contact the clinic for a refill authorization. Some pharmacies have procedures in place for such situations.

6. **Emergency Preparedness:** In regions prone to severe weather, it's a good idea to plan ahead. Ensure you have an adequate supply of essential medications, especially if you have chronic conditions. Consider discussing an emergency healthcare plan with your healthcare provider.

7. **Patient Portal:** Check for updates, messages, or instructions from your healthcare provider.

Remember that safety is a top priority during adverse weather conditions. It's essential to prioritize your well-being and take precautions to avoid unnecessary travel or exposure to hazardous conditions. If you have concerns about your health or are unsure about what to do during clinic closures, don't hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider or seek appropriate medical guidance.