Urgent care, Primary Health clinics get help with staffing from Idaho National Guard
Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s decision to deploy 75 Idaho National Guard members Monday will benefit Primary Health, a large health care provider in the Treasure Valley that’s experienced staffing shortages as the omicron variant spreads across the state.
Primary Health is experiencing “day-to-day” closures as a large number of its staff members miss work due to COVID-19, CEO David Peterman told the Idaho Statesman by phone. As of Monday, four of Primary Health’s facilities were closed. Over the weekend, seven locations were closed.
Implementing the National Guard will not only allow the medical group to test, evaluate and treat more COVID-19-related patients, but to also provide more care for other patients, Peterman said. Primary Health also hopes to be able to return to normal operating hours.
“The health of a community as a whole is in danger when resources are lacking and must all be directed toward COVID efforts,” Peterman said. “We welcome this assistance in order to better care for all who need our services.”
Roughly 96-97% of the staff is vaccinated, Peterman said. Even though research shows vaccinated people — especially if they have received a booster dose — are highly protected from severe illness, sick employees still have to stay home for at least five days.
Primary Health — which has 21 clinics in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Kuna, Caldwell, Eagle and Garden City — previously told the Statesman it tests more people for COVID-19 than any other urgent care group in Idaho. In January, Primary Health tested over 40,000 people for COVID-19. Prior to the most recent surge, the clinics were averaging 300 to 400 tests a day.
The omicron variant has surged throughout Idaho, with the state’s seven-day positivity rate at almost 39% the week of Jan. 16, the latest data available. Last week, the state reactivated crisis standards of care for much of Southern Idaho. Crisis standards allow hospitals to ration care based on likelihood of survival.
Primary Health also received help from the Idaho National Guard earlier in the pandemic. Members of the Guard tested 104,000 patients for COVID-19 and administered nearly 90,000 doses of the vaccine.
“When we close clinics or when we have less staff, it’s harder to get appointments, frankly, harder to get through the phone,” Peterman said. “All of that stacks up, and you get behind.”
In normal times, Primary Health averages about 40,000 phone calls per month. In January, the medical group received 80,000 calls.
Little will also add 503 additional personnel with a state contract to assist Idaho hospitals that are overwhelmed, according to a Monday news release.
“What’s unique about Gov. Little is his appreciation of how critical primary care is,” Peterman said.
Residents who want to check if their Primary Care location is open can look online or email the company at information@primaryhealth.com.
This story was originally published January 31, 2022 at 3:47 PM.
