The Highline area has a new healthcare  option now. CHI Franciscan Health announced this week the opening of an prompt care facility in Burien at 16045 1st Ave. S. Just under a year in construction, the walk-in clinic features two separate care divisions. Scheduled primary care and prompt care with entrances for both.

The state-of-the-art building will accommodate more than 30 skilled physicians, on a ratio of one doctor for every 2.5 patients plus more than 100 staff members.

Why is there a need here for this type of service? The answer depends on the severity and type of illness or injury. Some options for health care include doctors’ offices and clinics, urgent care clinics, virtual urgent care or hospital emergency rooms. For most medical problems, you should go to your regular health care provider first. Because he or she knows you and your medical history, your regular health care provider is in the best position to deliver expert, personalized care.
Unless you have a life threatening emergency, you should start with a doctor’s office or clinic. Having a primary care physician or professional provider you see regularly has many benefits. It allows you to build a relationship with someone you trust, someone who knows your health history and can serve as a reliable source for care and information in your ongoing health maintenance. You should make an appointment with your doctor’s office for: • Annual wellness exams and preventive care • Regular screenings, vaccinations (such as flu shots) and prescription refills • A new or recurring health problem where you need advice.

Exam rooms offer dual door privacy where patients enter from one side and staff through an opposite door. Patient privacy is an important aspect in health care at Franciscan.

Primary care can include general health consultations, health screenings for lab work, full imaging center and a special mammography clinic with an extra emphasis on privacy.

The prompt care division serves an important role. When your doctor is not available or when a minor illness or injury strikes and requires immediate attention, urgent care provide care for non-life threatening medical issues or conditions that could become more severe if you wait. The urgent care center accepts walk-in appointments and are open seven days a week with extended hours. When your regular doctor or health care provider is not available, you should consider using the urgent or prompt care clinic for: • Common illnesses such as cold or flu symptoms, allergic reactions, ear aches, sore throats, nagging coughs, migraines, allergies, fevers or rashes • Minor injuries such as sprains, back pain, minor scrapes, cuts and burns, fractured bones, or minor eye injuries No matter where you go for care, be sure to bring a list of the current medications you are taking.
In keeping with the times, video chat is also available. Sometimes you get sick or hurt, but you don’t have a regular doctor. Or it’s the middle of the night and you don’t want to leave the house. With Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care, you can have an appointment by phone or video chat with one of our board-certified doctors or nurse practitioners for just $35. They're available any hour of any day to provide consultation, diagnosis and treatment, including prescriptions, if appropriate. How it works: • Answer a few questions • Chat with a doctor by phone or video chat • Feel better Use Franciscan Virtual Urgent Care to treat: Allergies • Bites & stings • Cough • Cuts & scrapes • Fever • Flu symptoms • Headaches • Minor burns • Pink eye • Rashes • Sinus issues • Sore throat • Stomach flu • Strains & sprains • UTI • Yeast infections. To contact video chat go online at FranciscanCareNow.org or call 1 (855) 356-8053.

               The Medical Pavilion has meeting rooms for health  information events including diabetes care and a dedicated upper floor for women's health issues, complete with a children's play area.

        The building is one block south of the 5 Corners intersection on 1st Ave S. While April 25 is the soft opening, other services are slated to be ready my mid May, 2016. Additional information online at FranciscanDoctors.org or call 1 (888) 825-3227.