OSF OnCall is re-opening its urgent care clinic on Sheridan Road in Peoria to meet the need for convenient care. The walk-in clinic at 3626 N Sheridan Road was open for six months before closing in November of 2021 due to staffing challenges during the COVID 19 pandemic.

During the closure the OSF OnCall location on Sheridan Road was used as a training site with the intent to re-open once staffing became more consistent.   

The clinic will be staffed by experienced care guides, a radiology technologist and an advanced practice provider. Providers deliver basic urgent care services such as treatment for colds, cough, flu, sprains, minor lacerations, urinary tract and upper respiratory infections among other minor ailments and conditions. OSF OnCall Urgent Care also provides school, sports, and employment physicals.

“In addition to offering urgent care services and X-ray, we have multiple prescription medications available to dispense onsite to prevent patients from making an additional stop at the pharmacy,” says Director of On Demand Operations, Nichole Esterdahl. “We are excited to re-open the doors to provide community members in the area with high-quality, convenient and affordable healthcare.”

OSF OnCall Urgent Care opened October 1, with a soft launch, providing health assessments and treatment Mondays-Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Operations will eventually expand to seven days a week, including holidays. There are seven additional OSF OnCall Urgent Care locations in the area including East Peoria, Washington, Morton, Pekin, and three additional Peoria locations.

Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations or options to get in line are available at osfoncall.org.

As many viruses continue to make the rounds in our communities, it is paramount to monitor your symptoms and know when the right time is to seek medical care in person. Sarah Overton, the Chief Nursing Officer for OSF Medical Group, Home Care and Employee Health, stresses the importance of virtual care when your symptoms are mild.

“That way we’re not exposing you to anyone in the public and you’re not exposing the health care worker to illness,” Overton says. “Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in health care worker illness where our nurses and doctors have to stay home because they are being exposed to illness.”

Hospitals across the OSF Ministry have been seeing a spike in COVID-19 patients. If you suspect you have COVID-19 but your symptoms are mild, take an at-home COVID-19 test. The federal government has another stockpile of at-home tests that are free to order on COVID.gov. Every household can receive four free rapid tests. Dr. Brian Curtis, Vice President of Clinical Specialty Services with OSF HealthCare, says taking tests at home will help free up space at medical facilities.

“Coming in just to get tested takes up spots for the people that are really sick or are high-risk,” Dr. Curtis says.

“The Emergency Room is reserved for those true emergencies,” Overton adds. “We have patients that have heart attacks and lung issues with their COPD. Additional patients overflowing the Emergency Room takes away precious time from assessing those patients who shouldn’t be exposed to those viruses while being in our waiting rooms.”

But COVID-19 isn’t the only virus making the rounds in our communities right now. Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and others are being seen often as well. So how can we stop the spread of viruses?

·         Stay home when you aren’t feeling well.

·         Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer regularly.

·         Cough or sneeze into your elbow.

·         Wipe down high-touch surfaces with disinfectant wipes.

·         Don’t share glasses or silverware with others.

·         Receive the flu shot.

For treating mild symptoms at home, Dr. Curtis offers some guidance for using over-the-counter options.

“You can take Tylenol or Motrin for fevers and aches. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest,” Dr. Curtis says.

Overton says to make sure you read the labels on any over-the-counter medication you buy. If you have any questions, you can ask a retail pharmacist, or send a message through MyChart to your OSF care team.

When is the right time to be seen?

“If you have a super deep cough that’s hanging on for quite a while or have a fever that lasts for several days,” Overton says. “Or if you have high-risk factors and may benefit from some of our medications for COVID, like Paxlovid, which are readily available in our retail pharmacy locations. We also have COVID-19 boosters able to be administered in our primary care offices.”

“There is a medication for influenza, but if you have a mild case, you’ll have more side effects from the medication than you are having from influenza itself. As far as RSV goes, there’s really no treatment for it except for supportive care.”

If you are sick and plan to visit a medical facility, please cover your face with a mask to decrease exposure to the health care workers.

Colds and viruses tend to last one to two weeks. If your symptoms are more serious or linger on much longer than that, reach out to your primary care team and schedule an appointment. You can also consider an in-person or virtual visit to OSF OnCall Urgent Care. A virtual visit is available 24/7.

Sarah Overton interview clips

Dr. Brian Curtis interview clips

Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming. Adding on the potential of a winter cold or virus only adds more stress. 

OSF HealthCare doctors share reassuring tips to help treat symptoms this winter season. 

You've probably heard of Bronchitis, an illness that impacts the larger lung airways. This winter, here's another illness with “Bronch” in the title to know, especially if you have young kids: Bronchiolitis. 

Awad Alyami, MD, a pediatrician with OSF HealthCare, shares warning signs to look out for.

“You need to see a doctor if your baby has trouble breathing at any time. Or if your baby is younger than three months and they have a fever. Or if they are older than three months and they have a fever for more than three days. Or if the child has signs of dehydration, like if they are making fewer wet diapers than normal," Dr. Alyami says. 

Treatment involves staying comfortable until symptoms resolve. In serious cases, you may need to go to the hospital and get help to breathe easier. 

But when your symptoms are milder, staying at home is what you need to do to help hospitals and clinics not be overrun. 

Zinc tablets within 24 hours of cold symptoms can inhibit a virus and Vick's VapoRub can help ease breathing and sleeping. Staying hydrated is key, especially for kids. 

Kimberly Walker, MD, a family medicine physician with OSF HealthCare, has tips for treating babies who can't always be given medicine. 

“The biggest thing is going to be nasal irrigation with saline and making sure their airways are clear of mucus," Dr. Walker says. "Really suctioning and getting those airways clear is very important for them."

Dr. Walker says celery can help numb the throat and provide relief for sore throats. She adds that using antihistamines alongside a decongestant like Afrin is helpful, but says Afrin can only be used for three days.

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