MultiCare Health System, in partnership with Kootenai Health, has opened its first Indigo Urgent Care clinic in the state of Idaho, at 2836 N. Ramsey Road, in Coeur d’Alene.

Melanie Collett, director of marketing and communications for Indigo Health, says that MultiCare will operate the clinic, but its providers are credentialed with both MultiCare and Kootenai Health.

“It’s a joint venture between MultiCare and Kootenai Health to help increase access to care in that community,” Collett says.

She says the partnership makes for a more seamless process for patients if they have to be referred to another care provider after their visits. This allows patients to be referred within either the Kootenai Health or the MultiCare system and stay in the same network as their primary care provider, she explains.

Collett says all Indigo support staff, including those who work the front desk, are medically trained.

The clinic currently has one provider working at a time, with three or four support employees. Collett says the clinic is large enough, however, to have two providers and eight support employees working at the same time.

The 4,300-square-foot clinic has six exam suites, including a family suite and an imaging room. It offers on-site X-rays and lab work and treats minor injuries and illnesses, including skin conditions, minor cuts and bruises, colds, flu, sprains, and minor fractures, Collett says.

In another feature of Indigo Urgent Care clinics, patients can see wait times online and schedule appointments for specific times. Collett says that option will be especially popular among patients living in rural North Idaho areas farther away from the clinic.

With the opening of the Coeur d’Alene clinic, Indigo Health now has 42 urgent care clinics, including seven in Spokane County.

Collett says MultiCare currently doesn’t have plans in the works for additional Indigo Urgent Care clinics, but it’s always evaluating community needs.

“We’re always looking at ways to expand access to care in the community,” Collett says.

The Coeur d’Alene Indigo Urgent Care clinic is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily.