Clinic walk-in services increase care access Published Feb. 4, 2016 By Argen Duncan Nucleus editor KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 377th Medical Group Family Health Clinic is offering walk-in services that have increased access to providers in the last few months. Patients assigned to the clinic and age 19 or older can get sore-throat treatment; pregnancy tests; injections of vitamin B-12, Depo-Provera birth control or testosterone; wart removal; and blood pressure checks 6:45 to 11:45 a.m. and 12:45 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Those patients are active-duty Airmen, dependents and retirees on TRICARE Prime. "It improves our access to care," said registered nurse Capt. Marie Rajala. The services take care of patients who don't need to see a doctor so the people who do can get in sooner. The family clinic implemented walk-in services four months ago, and access to providers has increased 30 percent since then, she said. Medical technician Senior Airman Ashley Steingruber said walk-in patients normally see nurses or medical techs, not doctors. Rajala said the walk-in service staff members have completed special online training and treat only the listed issues. Patients need to make an appointment for other symptoms. When a patient comes in, Steingruber said, a nurse or tech asks questions and may do a medical test. Using an algorithm and test results, Rajala said, staff could recommend home care or have a provider write a prescription or evaluate a situation. "If there are any concerns the nurse or the tech has, we will get your provider," Rajala said. "That's just good care." Steingruber said payment and insurance is the same with walk-in services as traditional clinic visits. The pediatric clinic has offered walk-in services for some time, so children and teenagers can get similar treatment there. For questions, call the family clinic appointment line at 846-3200 or use the My Care messaging system.