After-5 care for sprains, pains, illnesses

This paid piece is sponsored by Avera Health.

Sore throats and twisted ankles don’t follow a schedule – as any parents knows well. That’s why urgent care can be a wonderful option after 5 p.m. in Sioux Falls. Avera continues to expand its offerings for this type of care.

In past years, Avera has invested in stand-alone emergency departments and specialty walk-in and urgent care clinics to ensure community members get the care they need – even after hours. That now includes an easy-to-use feature to “save a place in line” for urgent care with a single click online.

“We’re excited to offer services that fit the lives of our patients,” said Bridget Fechner, a registered nurse and the clinic manager with Avera Medical Group Family Health Center – Dawley Farm.

Once you’ve saved a spot, you can make your way to your closest facility with the shortest line. That can reduce stress, and the service will text you with wait-time information. “When you have crying, fussy kids with an earache, knowing your wait time is gold,” Fechner said.

What is urgent care and when is it open?

After-hours care, which sometimes is called urgent or acute care, is simply a clinic open outside of daytime/weekday hours. That can really help with unexpected injury or illness.

Avera Urgent Care locations in Sioux Falls are open 5 to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Sundays, with locations at 2100 S. Marion Road, the east-side Dawley Farm Village and at 69th and Western.

Urgent care can save time, pain and money

Urgent care sites offer treatment for:

• Small cuts and lacerations.
• Colds or flu and seasonal allergies.
• Sinus or urinary tract infections.
• Minor burns, rashes or infections.
• Earaches, fevers or RSV.

For conditions that threaten a life, limb or organ, you should call 911 or go to one of Avera’s emergency departments immediately.

“Critical problems, such as strokes, heart attacks or major trauma – that’s what our emergency teams handle every day,” said Ryan Vanden Bosch, assistant vice president of the Avera Primary Care Service Line.

Specialized care available when needed

You also have access to specialized walk-in care when you need it.

Avera Orthopedic walk-in care will be available at two locations starting in January. It’s currently offered at the Avera Human Performance Center from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

The new Avera Medical Group Family Health Center – Dawley Farm also will offer orthopedic walk-in care from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. It’s best for injured bones, muscles and joints – like dislocations, ligament tears, broken bones and sprains.

Avera Behavioral Health also offers specialized urgent care for people experiencing mental health crises.

Learn more about easy-to-use after 5 p.m. care near you, then save the link in your favorites, just in case you need it.

Find your neighborhood urgent care clinic in the Sioux Falls area.

Get more health and wellness tips at AveraBalance.org.