Blue Mountain Hospital offers transitional care where people recovering from surgery or a hospital stay can recover.

People who wake up with certain symptoms have a new option for same-day treatment.

After a trial run earlier this year, Strawberry Wilderness Community Clinic inside Blue Mountain Hospital is now offering a limited number of “Fast Track” appointments each weekday for some urgent symptoms that do not require emergency room care.

“Our patients who have taken advantage of this scheduling model have been very thankful, and our providers enjoy it,” said Blue Mountain Hospital District CEO Derek Daly. “This is really something we’re excited about.”

Designed for people who wake up with symptoms, patients can call to schedule an appointment for one of the slots beginning at 7 a.m. Mondays through Fridays. Fast Track appointments can only be made for the same day.

Some of the symptoms eligible for the appointments include ear infections, urinary tract infections, flu, sinus pain, sore throat, cough, a new rash or allergies. Other symptoms may also be eligible.

The program was launched in response to community and patient concerns about having access to appointments. Patient, provider and staff feedback from the trial was positive.

“We will continue to look at scheduling models to ensure our patients have access to urgent needs services,” Clinic Manager Lynne Combs said. “We may be expanding our Fast Track time blocks in the future to accommodate the needs of our patients.”

For more information, call the clinic at 541-575-0404.