December 15, 2003
by Mark Anaruk, Evaluation Coordinator
YK Delta residents may recall a one-page survey that appeared in each mailbox earlier this spring. This survey, which asked Delta residents to rate their satisfaction with "Primary Care Services," was completed during the spring and summer of 2003. Results of the survey show village clinics and sub-regional clinics earned high marks. The survey also provided input on how YKHC can improve the walk-in clinic at the busy Bethel hospital.
YKHC leadership is already planning for a Primary Care Center facility to be located somewhere near the current hospital campus.
Over the past five years, YKHC has worked hard to increase village-based services. The Primary Care Survey shows that YKHC has made good strides to accomplish this goal. In answer to the question, "Can you make a same-day appointment?" people said,
• Village Clinic, Yes - 89 percent
• Sub-Regional Clinic, Yes - 91 percent
• YK Delta Hospital, Yes - 36 percent
While the hospital's 36 percent seems low, it supports the national trend in Primary Care Services--where people go to a clinic rather than a hospital to receive outpatient care, such as colds, sore throats and fevers, the hospital is used as the next level of care.
Although people will never be turned away from the YK Delta Hospital, an individual can be seen more quickly and more comfortably in a village clinic or subregional clinic. There, the patient can receive needed treatment and medication, and, if necessary, can be referred to the hospital for greater specialized care. The problem in Bethel is that no such primary care clinic exists.
The purpose of the Primary Care Survey was to ask residents their opinions on these services as YKHC begins planning for a Primary Care Center in Bethel.
One major reason to build this facility is to address the wait times that people must endure to be seen by a provider. YKHC realizes wait times are a problem, and a Primary Care Center in Bethel would alleviate a lot of the waiting. It would also free up space in the current hospital for another very important purpose--a Long Term Care facility for our Elders that would be located in a wing of the current hospital.
Although funding for large building projects is more difficult to get, YKHC administration is working hard at finding the funds to meet these two areas of need in our region.
How would this Primary Care Center be funded? YKHC is researching this now. While there is little funding available for Long Term Care facilities, if YKHC could secure funding for a Primary Care Center, that might be a way to bring a Long Term Care Facility to Bethel in the near future.
Other Results From The Primary Care Survey
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