Accidents are never convenient Published June 11, 2013 By Senior Airman Dennis Ayres 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash., -- In Spokane, the 101 Critical Days of Summer bring lots of sun, fun and, sometimes, illness and injury. When Fairchild military members or dependents do get hurt, they have several options for care that vary based on their medical condition and when care is required. To optimize care and make it easy on patients, the 92nd Medical Group recommends you follow this basic rule: go to the nearest Emergency Room if you have an emergency, otherwise call the Appointment & After-Hours Healthcare Line at 247-2361. This line is staffed by 92nd Medical Group personnel 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. "Short of an emergency medical situation, calling the Appointment & After-Hours Healthcare Line should be the only option our patients use," said Lt Col Jason Lennen, Commander, 92nd Medical Operations Squadron. "Otherwise they may not obtain the care required in a timely manner, they increase the costs of care received, and they are at risk of a denied payment claim or referral." "When it's just a cut, hard fall or sickness," said Tech. Sgt. Ryan Werner, 92nd Medical Group Ambulance Services NCOIC, "Fairchild Air Force Base's Appointment & After-Hours Healthcare Line comes into play." During normal duty days, the Family Health Clinic staff fields calls from patients until 4 p.m. The clinic does not have walk-in sick call, but the Patient Centered Medical Home Team each patient is assigned to is available to assist with healthcare needs during duty hours. Ambulance Services staff are available to answer calls whenever the base clinic is closed, generally from 4 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on duty days and 24 hours on weekends and holidays. After you identify the symptoms or trouble you're having, they will advise you on what to do, and where to go for the appropriate medical care. This gets you the care you need and prevents you from paying for treatment out of your own pocket. "We get a variety of calls from sprained ankles, sick children, and even cut fingers during cooking. Our goal is to get the patient the right level of care. We don't want you or your child to have to sit for what could be hours in an emergency room when 'at home treatment' or urgent care is a viable option," said Werner. If your illness or injury is an emergency (threat to life, limb or eyesight), call 9-1-1 immediately. For all other urgent medical needs, Fairchild's Appointment & After-Hours Healthcare Line can be reached at (509) 247-2361, option #1.