Rick Segal, left, and Carmelo Mejia, internal medicine doctors with Kaiser Permanente in Salem, type notes during a shift at Salem Free Clinic (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
NOTE: Salem Reporter is providing free access to its content related to the coronavirus as a community service. Subscriptions starting at $5 a month help support this.
Kaiser Permanente Northwest is temporarily closing some of its medical and dental offices starting Thursday to ensure it has the capacity and equipment to care for the potential of more critically ill patients, it announced Wednesday.
In the Salem area, the Keizer Station Medical Office, West Salem Medical Office, North Lancaster Dental Office and Skyline Dental Office are closing.
The North Lancaster Medical Office, Skyline Medical Office and Keizer Station Dental Office remain open.
“By temporarily consolidating, we can support a potential surge in our hospital patients, meet the critical need to conserve Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), guard against potential staffing shortages, and limit the exposure for members, employees and the community,” the announcement said.
The healthcare provider postponed non-emergency surgeries and procedures on Monday and started pushing patients toward virtual care options.
Patients can schedule a video or phone visit by signing in to the Kaiser Permanente app or kp.org. People who have flu-like symptoms and are 18 or older can also complete an e-visit to get online care and advice, and treatment for symptoms if necessary, Kaiser Permanente said.
Those needing to schedule an in-person visit can call 1-800-813-2000.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
