Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center expanding number of primary care appointments

By KAALTV
Courtesy: MGN

(ABC 6 News) – Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center have announced they are expanding the number of primary care appointments available for people who have children with illnesses.

Health officials say Olmsted County is seeing an increase in families seeking testing and care in emergency rooms for upper respiratory illnesses. Officials say emergency rooms should be used only for true emergencies and that visiting a primary care provider is preferred.

View expanded primary care appointments for Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center below.

Mayo Clinic Primary Care in Southeast Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Primary Care is expanding appointment availability in Rochester and the surrounding area for children with acute care needs on nights and weekends. Appointments are available during the following hours for clinics in Rochester:

  • Primary Care (Adult patients): 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday.
  • Primary Care (Pediatric patients): 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday; and 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday (evening and weekend hours at Baldwin Building only).
  • Express Care: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Rochester appointment line will open at 7 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. on Sunday for same-day appointments. Expanded hours are not available on Mayo Clinic official holidays. Appointments are extended at other clinics throughout the region.

Mayo Clinic Primary Care offers the following resources to help patients manage upper respiratory infections including a nurse triage line to answer patient questions and an online symptom checker.

Olmsted Medical Center

Primary care appointments are available Monday through Friday at the Rochester Southeast Clinic, Rochester Northwest Clinic, Miracle Mile Clinic, and OMC Branch Clinics. Other options for care include FastCare North, FastCare South, and Acute Care.

Hours for FastCare

  • Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Hours for Acute Care

  • Rochester Northwest Clinic: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Miracle Mile Clinic: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Patients are able to schedule an appointment at FastCare North and FastCare South by using OMC MyChart’s “Find Care Now.” Beginning Wednesday, November 30, patients will be able to schedule an appointment at Acute Care using “Find Care Now.”

Health officials say in most cases, kids can be safely cared for at home. Most children with upper respiratory infections will have a mild illness, including cold-like symptoms, low-grade fever, and cough.

While differences exist among all viruses, the recommendations for care at home are the same. Officials say have the child rest, keep the child well hydrated, and use fever-reducing medications when needed for children 4 months or older.