Welcome to Family Health Center
Ph: 1-208-263-1435 Fax: 1-208-263-4580
606 N. 3rd Ave Suite 101
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Monday-Friday 7:30-5:00
Clinic update 09-09-21
We have several staff members out on quarantine right now. We apologize if it takes longer than normal to answer your call or call you back. The staff working each day are answering calls and questions as quickly as possible while ensuring that you are still getting the best possible care from our office. Thank you.
Idaho activates crisis standards of care in North Idaho:
Today, September 7, 2021, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has activated Crisis Standards of Care in the Panhandle and North Central Health Districts because of a severe shortage of staffing and available hospital beds caused by a massive increase in patients with COVID-19 who require hospitalization. The crisis standards will help health care providers decide how to deliver the best care under the extraordinary circumstances of an overwhelming public health emergency caused by COVID-19. The goal is to help as many patients and save as many lives as possible.
The crisis standards allow rationing when there are more patients than the hospital can handle. Transfers to regional hospitals are often not available as they are also facing the same crisis. Under the guidelines, patients are given priority scores based on a number of factors that impact their likelihood of surviving a health crisis. Patients may not get the care they would normally expect in the hospital. Scarce resources like intensive care unit rooms will be used for the patients most likely to survive. Other patients will still receive care, but they may be placed in hospital classrooms or conference rooms rather than traditional hospital rooms or go without some life-saving medical equipment. Gov Little called the move to limit care "an unprecedented and unwanted point in the history of our state" and urged residents to get vaccinated against COVID which is by far the most effective way to prevent serious disease and hospitalization.
The demand on hospitals is likely to worsen in coming weeks as COVID case numbers continue to climb according to the state health department director Jeppesen. The current surge in COVID cases is not expected to peak until mid October. Everyone should take steps to avoid needing any emergency care if possible by wearing seat belts, taking medication as prescribed and reconsidering high risk activities that can lead to accidents.
covid testing information
Boundary Hospital
Monday – Friday 9AM – 3PM
Patients MUST be registered and scheduled for testing BEFORE coming to the Hospital.
BCH Patient Registration will contact patients directly to schedule COVID-19 testing. Every effort will be made to register patients for same day testing if the lab orders are received by 1 PM. If received after 1 PM, patients may need to be scheduled for testing the next business day.
Patients should contact their provider if they do not receive a call about scheduling their test or to obtain the results from the test.
Testing location may vary. Registration will provide specific instructions when scheduling. Hours may change without notice due to weather, staffing and/or testing supply shortages.
Tests will NOT be administered without an authorized lab order and appropriate patient registration. Lab results will be sent to the ordering physician or provider. Boundary Community Hospital patients who have established access to the BCH Patient Portal can access tests results through the portal. All others will need to contact their provider. Tests are recorded by County of Residence and not by where the samples are taken.
If a patient presents to the Emergency Department for testing outside of normal lab hours, there will be an Emergency fee associated with the visit, as well as the COVID-19 test.
Bonner General Health
Monday – Friday 8 am – 10 am & 11 am – 1 pm
COVID drive-thru process:
· Everyone must have a provider's order sent via fax to 208.265.1288 to receive a test. Please include the patient's contact information (including email) and insurance information on the order form.
· BGH will collect all exposed or potential COVID, travel, & NON-BGH pre-screening for surgery & procedures through the drive-thru.
· Pre-screening for BGH surgery & procedures will be performed in the lab Monday – Friday.
· Testing is on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, if there is a long line, we will encourage patients to return later (during testing hours) to prevent back-up in traffic.
Newport Hospital
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 12 PM / 2 PM – 5 PM (pre-registration closes at 4 PM)
Saturday: 9 AM – 12 PM Sunday: CLOSED
Please follow these guidelines for all outpatient COVID-19 testing / sample collection:
Step 1: Get a doctor’s order for the COVID-19 test
§ Have your doctor’s office fax the order to Newport Community Hospital at (509) 447-6397.
Step 2: Call (509) 447-2441 to pre-register for your test (prior to getting in line for outdoor testing)
§ If you are already at the hospital and need to pre-register, please park across the street from the hospital (along Scott St.) in the designated pre-registration area (look for the pre-registration signs).
§ Once we have the doctor’s order, we can pre-register you when you call. Please have your insurance information available when you call.
§ You will be given a confirmation number to present upon test collection.
Step 3: Arrive at Newport Community Hospital and pull-in to the COVID-19 collection tent.
§ If no lab tech is present near the tent, please call (509) 447-9301 and someone will meet you in the tent.
§ NHHS then sends the sample to our reference laboratory, LabCorp. LabCorp processes the sample and provides the test results your medical provider. Currently, the self-pay price for the test is $100, but this is subject to change
Kootenai Health
Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 4 PM; Saturday and Sunday – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Note: You must have an order from a provider in order to be tested.
Schedule your COVID-19 test online to expedite your wait time. Wait times may vary due to patient volumes.
Here’s How: copy and paste this link https://www.kh.org/covid-19/test
· Choose your preferred time and fill out your information
· Check your confirmation. From there, you can change your time, cancel your appointment, or contact us with questions.
Be sure to have your insurance card readily available when you arrive for your appointment.
Tips for people being tested:
· The testing center must receive an order for testing. We cannot complete a test without an order.
· When talking to your physician ask when your order will be sent to the testing center. This will help you avoid arriving for a test before your order has been received.
Special Instructions for Those Traveling to Hawaii
· Kootenai Health is an approved “trusted testing partner” recognized by the state of Hawaii pre-travel testing program, using the CLEAR app for testing verification.
TELEHEALTH APPOINTMENTS!
Telehealth appointments are great for:
- When you are not feeling well and want to stay home!
- When you have been exposed to COVID and need an appointment
- When you have cold or flu symptoms
- Wellness visits
- Medication reviews
Reminder - We are not seeing symptomatic patients in the office.
If you have any cold symptoms we are only seeing patients via Telehealth. Examples of symptoms include fever, runny nose, congestion, cough, sore throat, etc.
In order to limit the amount of patients in the waiting room you are more than welcome to wait in your car. Just call us when you get here.
Please try to come by yourself whenever possible.
Don't forget your mask!
Want more information about COVID-19 Vaccine?
Want more information about COVID-19 Vaccine?
Want more information about COVID-19 Vaccine?
- How does the vaccine work?
- When can I get the COVID vaccine?
- What are the benefits?
Why choose Family Health Center?
Want more information about COVID-19 Vaccine?
Want more information about COVID-19 Vaccine?
Our Clinic is Physician owned and has been providing Sandpoint and the surrounding areas with exceptional medical care for over 20 years.
Our physicians and staff are local, just like you, and love calling Sandpoint home!
We Love New Patients!
Want more information about COVID-19 Vaccine?
We Love New Patients!
Whether you are a long time resident or new to the area we are here for you. We have 5 MD's and 1 DO on staff .
Call our friendly staff to learn how to become a new patient
at 208-263-1435.
COVID & Flu Vaccine by Appointment
To make sure we have enough vaccine on hand please make an appointment through the COVID Vaccine tab. Thank you!