Marshfield Clinic offers same-day services

EAU CLAIRE — Marshfield Clinic Health System is offering appointments the same day people schedule them to reduce the number of people going to the emergency department and urgent care.

According to a press release the clinic was able to provide this for most of Marshfield Clinic’s services by adding “more space in provider’s schedules”. The same-day care will be available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Same-day appointments will be available if people call before noon, according to the Marshfield Clinic Health System website’s page on same-day appointments. If patients call after that time they might still have a chance to have an appointment that day or will be scheduled for the day after.

Some of the services that offer this opportunity include primary and specialty care for adults and children, according to the press release.

A spokesman for the health system said some services will still be scheduled at a later date; these include annual check-ups and specialized care that isn’t immediately needed.

When patients make an appointment, they will try to get them to their current provider at a clinic of their choice, according to the health system’s website. If they can’t, they will set up a different provider to meet with them at the clinic the patient chooses.

People can apply for the same-day services by calling 877-369-6966, according to the press release.

The spokesman said they can also schedule an appointment themselves online at marshfieldclinic.org or with the app My Marshfield Clinic.

Administrative Director of Regional Operations Miriam Gehler said more people have been using their emergency department and urgent care after the closures of two Hospital Sisters Health System hospitals. The influx of patients can cause delays in their care.

“One of the reasons using same-day access is important is to reduce usage of emergency departments and urgent care for patient care that doesn’t require that level of service,” said Gehler.

The spokesman said the number of people who go to an emergency department or urgent care when they do not immediately need care changes each day but has increased with the rest of their patient numbers.

If a person is in a state that is life threatening they should go to the emergency department or call 911, said the press release. If they have an injury or illness that needs to be looked at right away but is not threatening their life they should “visit Marshfield Clinic urgent care and walk-in service locations”.

Fever, coughs, and other health conditions can be treated through many different sources, according to the press release. Patients can use the same-day appointments, regular appointments, or virtual care.

People can schedule virtual appointments in the same way they schedule in-person visits, said the spokesman.