Outpatient Medical Clinic

The Outpatient Medical Clinic provides a variety of health services by appointment. Preventive health services available at the clinic include complete physical examinations, well child care, immunizations, tuberculosis (TB) screening, early cancer detection programs, blood pressure and cholesterol screening, women's health care, family planning services, and diabetes screening.

Health education, evaluation, monitoring, and maintenance are available, and patients are encouraged to take advantage of these services for pregnancy, chronic and emergent health problems, or any health-related concerns.

Practitioners

The Outpatient Medical Clinic is staffed by qualified healthcare professionals who provide a broad range of preventive health services, urgent care, and on-going medical evaluation and treatment. We have physician and mid-level practioners in family practice.

Mid-Level Practitioners

Physician assistants and nurse practitioners also see patients at the clinic. These fully trained, mid-level health care professionals provide many outpatient services independently. They consult with, and refer to, physicians as necessary.

Medical Students/Residents

Annette Island Service Unit has a commitment to providing internships for medical and other health care students, and such trainees may be a part of the team providing services during your visit. At all times your treatment will be under the supervision of a physician or other health care professional. Please inform us if you are not comfortable speaking with, or being examined by, a professional in training.

Nursing Staff

Our highly trained and educated professional nursing staff provide care and supervise Health Aides.

Alaska-Certified Health Aides

Our Board-Certified Health Aides are Community members trained to provide professional care to the Community under the direction of Nursing staff and Providers.

Visits

Calling the Clinic

All calls to the Outpatient Medical Clinic staff are routed through the main clinic number (907-886-4741). Because of the large volume of calls received, you may be asked to leave your name, phone number, and a message. If you do not receive a return call within one hour, please call again, in case the message was not recorded clearly.

Appointments

Scheduled appointments are available for a wide range of health care needs such as annual well-woman exams, well-child visits, medical evaluations, and on-going medical treatment. We try to schedule urgent care as soon as possible. Appointments for non-urgent care generally need to be made weeks in advance.

Urgent Care

Call us when you have an urgent health problem, and we will do everything we can to meet your needs without delay. Your call will be referred to the triage nurse, who will help you decide the best option for care. When you call in advance, we can better plan your visit and respond to your needs.

Emergency Room Use

The Annette Island Service Unit Emergency Room is open during regular business hours. Use of the ER should be restricted to true emergencies. We always have a provider on call around the clock, but we may have to call that doctor into the clinic for your emergency. If you are not sure whether the problem can wait until the clinic reopens, call the hospital and the ER nurse on duty will advise you what to do.

Pregnancy & Children

Pregnancy (Obstetric) Care

Early and regular prenatal care reduces the risk of birth defects. Prenatal care is available at the clinic by appointment. Prenatal care is provided until the patient is 38 weeks pregnant or until two weeks before the due date. After that, patients must spend the remainder of their pregnancy in the town where they are planning to deliver the baby. Routine newborn deliveries take place at Ketchikan General Hospital (KGH). Because funding is limited, the clinic will authorize payment up to a specified amount for deliveries at a private hospital, such as KGH, only when an alternative resource (such as private insurance or Medicaid) is available to pay for the majority of the cost. High-risk obstetric care is available through referral to the Alaska Native Medical Center.

Appointments with Young Children

Children are very special to us. We want them to feel as comfortable as possible when they receive outpatient services. To help us provide your child the best care and maintain a safe environment:

• Please accompany your child for the appointment, so we can personally discuss his/her health care needs with you.
• Have your child bring a favorite toy, book or doll, or something small to play with while they wait.
• Closely supervise your child's activities during his/her entire clinic visit to help us maintain a safe environment.
• If possible, bring only the child that has the appointment and make child care arrangements for your other children.

Immunizations and Well Child Care

Many dangerous diseases can be prevented through immunization, and the clinic provides a full range of immunizations to protect your child from childhood diseases. We strongly encourage parents and guardians to ensure that all children have their immunizations. Our immunization coordinator will be happy to answer your questions and will keep track of your child's immunization record. Immunizations and well child exams are usually scheduled together. Immunizations can also be received from the public health nurse who visits Metlakatla each month. Adults can receive immunizations for pneumonia, influenza, and Hepatitis B at the clinic. Routine tuberculosis (TB) screening is also provided at the clinic.

Nutrition/WIC Services

Information and advice about nutrition are available from a specialist who visits the clinic monthly. Appointments can be made by calling the clinic.

The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps provide additional food to women:

1. who are pregnant
2. who are breast feeding
3. who have just had a baby

WIC can also provide additional nutrition to infants and children up until their fifth birthday. WIC applications are available through the clinic or Social Services. After a medical screening is performed, the patient is referred back to Social Services to arrange for the assistance.

Sterilization

Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control. It involves operations called a vasectomy for men or a bilateral ligation for women.

Anyone interested in sterilization should make an appointment with a provider at the clinic to discuss the procedure and different options. Sterilizations can be done at SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka. A special consent form must be signed 30 days before the sterilization is performed.

Specialty Clinics

To better serve you, we offer clinics at Annette Island Service Unit in several specialized areas of medicine. These clinics utilize the services of visiting medical specialists. Some clinics are offered at Ketchikan Indian Community (KIC) Tribal Health Clinic and Public Health Clinic of Ketchikan. (Referrals to KIC do not include the cost of transportation to KIC for the appointment.) Clinics offered include:

• Neurology
• Allergy
• Pediatrics
• Cardiology
• Pediatric Cardiology
• Hepatology
• Urology
• Dermatology
• Orthopedics
• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Optometry
• Diabetes
• Vision Care

Specialty Clinic Appointments

In order to see one of these specialists you must be referred by your physician. After you have been referred, our Specialty Clinic Office will call you with an appointment. At times it may take up to a year for an appointment with a clinic. It is important that you follow up with your referring provider if your symptoms persist. It is important that you notify the Specialty Clinic Office if you are unable to keep your appointment.