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Hopefully, someone won't post inappropriate information like was posted on the healthcare in Idaho Falls site previously. A lot of good information for new residents, or those vacationing in the area, was posted in that thread. It was really a loss for both the information shared from those who know about healthcare in Idaho Falls and for those wanting to visit or relocate to the area.
Since Idaho Falls has the only American College of Surgeons Level II Trauma Center in Idaho, and covers Yellowstone National Park, Jackson, the Tetons let alone eastern Idaho, there are important changes that need a thread here.
I'm starting a new thread with the belief most people are good and aren't trying to find certain individuals by posting their names. Besides, far too much information about the quality of medical care in the Idaho Falls area is now missing, since the last similar thread had to be shut down.
All of the former posts are gone; however, with the cooperation of everyone we can inform others of information they may need to know.
I say let's try it, this thread can always be closed as well. Please, can we stay focused on the services and not individual people who may or may not be posting here?
I'm looking forward to the great news I will post next. I hope others will follow.
MFM Clinic and Level III NICU Make This Possible in Idaho Falls:
I've wanted to post this great story, but until now lacked the thread to do so. This story is one of the driving forces I decided to try again to have an Idaho Falls healthcare thread.
Many researching Idaho don't realize what an advanced MFM-Perinatal-
Level III -NICU -Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center has. After all, isn't eastern ID just suppose to have "spuds?"
I do not work for Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC). However, I'm well aware of the work of Dr. Steve Clark (internationally) as well as his colleagues. They have made some very positive changes for high risk deliveries in eastern Idaho.
"Doctors at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center have successfully performed a procedure that is so uncommon, it has only been successful in Salt Lake City a few times in the last 20 years.
"Meet 3 lb. 3 oz Kyleigh Cook. Her twin brother has passed, but her life is considered by some to be a miracle.
"For four years, Hilary Cook and her husband Bryan tried to get pregnant.
"Hilary Cook: "'We weren't able to have children on our own, so we did in vitro and that's how we got pregnant with the twins.'"
"So you can imagine their feelings of devastation when Hilary's water broke at just 19 weeks.
"Hilary Cook: "'I was quite emotional, I knew that because I was so early at 19 weeks, there were not good chances."'
"Bryan Cook: "'Through the whole process, the doctors like to give you hope and say there's a chance, but we knew it was very slim.'"
"Maternal fetal medicine specialist, Dr. Steven Clark, met Bryan and Hilary for the first time today, after advising EIRMC doctors how to save little Kyleigh with a rare procedure that's never been successfully performed in our region, and is hardly successful anywhere.
"After one twin is born, it's almost impossible to stop labor, but...
"Dr. Clark: "'I advised maybe we could try what's called rescue cerclage where we give medicine to stop labor, cut the umbilical cord very high so it stays within the uterus and doesn't get infected and stitch the cervix shut.'"
"It worked. Kyleigh stayed inside the uterus, until being born in the 28th week of Hilary's pregnancy, premature, but alive and well.
"Dr. Clark: "'The story here is the coming of age of EIRMC as one of the West's top notch high risk pregnancy centers that can handle even the most complicated cases.'"
"Bryan Cook: '"When we first saw her I couldn't believe she was so perfect and tiny and couldn't believe a baby could survive at that age."'
"Hilary Cook: '"It's wonderful, I'm so glad she's here, I couldn't have asked for anything better than her."'
"Kyleigh could be out of the hospital and ready to go home by April. The Cooks say it's the support of their family and friends, and their faith which has gotten them through the loss of their son.
"As for EIRMC, it already won accolades last year for its top notch trauma care, so this latest accomplishment further secures its well-respected reputation."
Both KIDK and KIFI, as well as other copy-righted media have additional information about this successful procedure done in Idaho Falls.
Congratulations to the family, the physicians, the nursing staff and technicians, and EIRMC for delivering such a miracle!
Hopefully, this information will give others information they might need. The website for EIRMC is: Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center - Home Page. More information is available via the website.
Last edited by Mtn. States Resident; 03-03-2008 at 07:11 AM..
Reason: Typo
My family and I were also looking into a possible move to idaho. I also was wondering about the health centers there. For we have a daughter who was born with a cleft lip and palate and as health issues. She will be needing more surgery in later dates. Reading what you have posted makes me feel a little better. Thank you
Thank you all so much!
I've been wanting to ask about the health care in Idaho Falls sense were re-locating to that area in the Spring 2009
I was concerned about the cancer centers in the area?
My husband has had Colon Cancer Twice and I would like to be close to an area that can keep a close eye on him.
Jeanie,
I'm not sure how I missed your post. Excellent care and major clinical trials, through SWOG and other, are all in place in Idaho Falls. EIRMC received a Comprehensive Cancer Center II - I think that is the number recently. Chemo, radiation, brachyio etc. are available. Some modalities, like a Gamma Knife are not. But, those needing that level of specialized care can receive it at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center - about 200 miles away. Huntsman's (HCH) will be expanding again and doubling their inpatient beds. It is rapidly gaining in nationally rankings, given that the facility didn't even exist 7-10 years ago.
There is also good cancer care at Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI) in Boist (St. Luke's). However, MSTI doesn't have as much as HCH, since it isn't at a medical school and doesn't have residents/fellows, NIH and other funding, let alone a totally separate cancer hospital on a larger hospital campus.
If you have more questions, please feel free to send me a D.M./P.M. Good luck in your move!
MSR, an update to my previous questions about orthodontics, as we prepared to move away from our beloved UCSF: We found a highly recommended orthodontist in IF who was able to work with us to develop an interest free payment plan, $1000 down and (relatively) low monthly payments for the duration of the treatment. My lucky boy will be sporting his new gear next week!
We have also had very good experiences with Bingham Memorial and our local affiliated Physicians and Surgeons Clinic.
At the clinic, I did not have to insist that my son be double swabbed for a possible strep infection, they didn't hesitate to accomodate this request, and I was able to get this appointment within hours of my first call.
Then, when my daughter had a lump, she was seen immediately at the PSC, referred to Bingham, seen within 72 hours, and we were able to follow up at the PSC immediately afterwards with no appointment.
The other night one of my kids had an accident and we weren't sure whether or not to seek emergency treatment, we called the Bingham Memorial Nurse line, and within 20 minutes had an RN on the phone who gave us sound advice.
Hope these limited experiences are helpful info for someone!
Ask Questions; KNOW THE ANSWERS BEFORE YOU NEED TO KNOW
Quote:
Originally Posted by norcalmom101
MSR, an update to my previous questions about orthodontics, as we prepared to move away from our beloved UCSF: We found a highly recommended orthodontist in IF who was able to work with us to develop an interest free payment plan, $1000 down and (relatively) low monthly payments for the duration of the treatment. My lucky boy will be sporting his new gear next week!
We have also had very good experiences with Bingham Memorial and our local affiliated Physicians and Surgeons Clinic.
At the clinic, I did not have to insist that my son be double swabbed for a possible strep infection, they didn't hesitate to accomodate this request, and I was able to get this appointment within hours of my first call.
Then, when my daughter had a lump, she was seen immediately at the PSC, referred to Bingham, seen within 72 hours, and we were able to follow up at the PSC immediately afterwards with no appointment.
The other night one of my kids had an accident and we weren't sure whether or not to seek emergency treatment, we called the Bingham Memorial Nurse line, and within 20 minutes had an RN on the phone who gave us sound advice.
Hope these limited experiences are helpful info for someone!
Norcalmom101,
Good to know you found a good orthodontist and have had good responses so far with the PSC. I think you raise two really valid, but undiscussed points.
First, a point which I do think you tried to learn prior to your move...basically do services exist and where. For myself, I dread thinking about moving to a particular location, not knowing how health care decisions at a new location are made. Also, it is a personal concern of mine knowing where physicians and other providers trained. The collective medical community's knowledge base matters to me.
Secondly, while my comments are only meant to be informative and I work for NO hospital in the Intermountain West, my work does allow me to know many facts/plans of current Intermountain West hospitals. Others who have posted on this board also have access to the same, or similar information. However, I don't think the majority of people posting know some of the most important questions to ask, when choosing where to get medical care.
Each of us are different. I'd always want a brain scan read by a radiologist who had completed a fellowship in Neuroradiology. Not eastern ID hospitals offer that option. To others, that additional training may not matter.
I think this is a very confusing time to be moving to eastern ID. EIRMC, the largest facility in eastern ID and the only Certified Trauma Center in all of Idaho, let alone eastern ID, probably gets more people complaining about issues that don't matter to me. The Trauma II ranking by the ACS means certain essential personnel have to be available and the hospital has to be able to do x,y.z. Every other hospital in eastern ID differs to EIRMC currently. How many different types of patients and what services, depends on the hospitals. In some ways, I don't think some people think about the fact EIRMC has to take all and other hospitals in the area do not.
Personally, I think the current ads of one hospital stating they are more like a hotel than hospital are frightening. But, I know more about that facility's hx, future plans, what their physician turnover rate is, and how the facility has benefitted from "difficulties" in Pocatello.
I don't wish to create a thread where posts are as angry as exist on other sites or people get into power struggles to try to prove they know more than another, about health care and Pocatello. Please, if one wants to post about that, start a new thread, that isn't the purpose of this one. I do hope to encourage people to ask questions about services and trained personnel, not the political turf wars.
I do think it is important that people understand what physicians and nursing, plus allied health personnel work at local facilities and how they arrived at their decision to do so. Not too many people are aware of two different medical clinics in the Shelley area and for whom, the respect physicians work, or were previously employed. Sometimes when former employees leave a group and start their own practices, it is hard to know ALL the reasons behind the changes.
I'm also puzzled why more aren't confused about something that totally puzzles me. Does it matter to you or not if your local physician or Mid-Levels providing care for you and/or your family admits to the hospital where you would want to be hospitalized, should you need hospitalization? And, can that hospital care for the medical needs that you and your family have?
I read rave reviews of certain clinics and think to myself, "I wonder if the patient knew he would have to be admitted in a different location about 25 miles away, if they wanted that doctor to follow them as an inpatient, or are they loyal to the facility so if they needed admitted, the doctor doesn't matter?" Sometimes it doesn't matter if the problem can be resolved with one visit. However, that depends on the patient and whether they like to know their individual physician, or just be seen by anyone.
There is the local specialty hospital primarily owned mostly by physicians, which doesn't promote their limitations as much as they use to, from my perspective. I have rather strong feelings about having a surgeon of any type referring me to a facility where his practice might own 1/3 of the hospital (information that is public record, if one knows where to look). That means 1/3 of the cost of every suture, or every bandage used etc. goes back as income to those physicians in that practice. And besides all the insider info I know about this hospital, it bothers me that people don't realize that they may be "directed" to care at one facility or another based on their insurance or lack thereof. I'd ask if a specialty hospital has the equipment needed to care for you? If not, what is their (and your insurance) transfer policy? Who will pay if you have to be moved to a facility in the area that provides services that hospital does not?
Idaho healthcare is very different than that in so many states. I don't know the latest rankings, but usually CA, NV, and AZ battle it out yearly for which is the most capitated. For those who have ONLY lived in Idaho, they are only beginning to get their first introduction to Managed Care, not even full capitation. I believe the numbers are still around 10% penetration now into all of Idaho for "managed care," by private insurers.
What does have me concerned, norcalmom101, is an ad a I saw a few months ago about a healthcare organization who has decided to enter the Idaho Falls market and was recruiting their first physician. Maybe that organization will do better in Idaho Falls than what I've seen in different states. I believe that organization had clinical practices in the greater area you left, norcalmom101, but I may be wrong. I try NOT to keep up with that particular healthcare organization, but now will be foolish not to learn as much as I can.
I'm certainly jaded about this organization, which I first encountered in CA. This particular healthcare organization I'm thinking of, may have had superb clinical care at certain locations, and horrible coverage of patients in a different state. So if the organization really does open a clinical office in Idaho Falls, (I think they were in the processing of trying to establish one already in Boise area) then we all need to LEARN about what they can and will provide as healthcare in Idaho. Maybe they will be the best news to Idaho healthcare, but I'm concerned based on performance in other states of what patients have needed vs. what they will really received that Idaho residents won't understand the difference.
Bottom line from my perspective: ASK questions and know what matters to you when choosing a health care provider and/or hospital.
Please Ask Questions as Services and Personnel Change
Just to be clear, I think it is good norcalmom101, posted the info she did. My last post may have had a little harsh feel to it, and I wanted to explain I didn't feel or mean it that way. I remembered newer information as I wrote it, which is why I encourage all to become as informed as possible about the FACTS.
In no way am I trying to imply a person or family's experience and opinion isn't valid. I'm trying to separate the difference between personal experiences, which can be helpful, to knowing information you/your family needs is available only at certain facilities.
I'm urging all in ID to be educated patients before you ever need a health care facility.
Your best resource is your personal physician, not necessarily your well-meaning neighbor, relative or friend. Unless others know your specific needs, don't assume. IMHO, I believe it is very niave for someone to say to a new resident, to avoid Dr. X or Hospital Y, because a nurse or someone else 2 years in the past gave them an angry look or something as ridiculous, at least to me. I find it very different to ask which hospital can revise my spouse's shunt, or do a corneal transplant etc.
If a doctor you've heard great information about isn't on your insurance plan, find out why. Trust me, those decisions aren't made lightly in most medical offices. If an insurance won't pay a specific physician for what you need, will they pay for hospital needs you have?
Look at the turnover of staff at a hospital, learn what your insurance (if you have it) or if not having insurance may change for you. It is very possible that unless you carry a lot of cash with you that some hospitals in the area won't see you emergently, if you don't have insurance. Yet, a well-meaning neighbor may have had a great experience there as her doctor is physician-owner of the facility etc. No one says your new neighbors have the same medical conditions or coverage as you and your family. Get more than one person's feedback.
I did miss the questions posted earlier due to both personal/professional circumstances not allowing me the time to even visit the threads. I am sorry I wasn't in a position to respond at the time, due to my commitments/obligations at the time. That is one reason I pulled this thread up again, so those who have complicated medical conditions can ask questions about services. It is a legitimate need. Often businesses ask before they relocate to an area, why shouldn't individuals? Hopefully, more can comment or direct your question to those who may more acurately know the answers to questions asked.
We use to have an active healthcare thread about Idaho Falls. I did ask Sage to review it in 2007, when personal information was posted about me, and that resulted in that thread being removed. No thread is about a person, rather a subject. Not all people can use their names, either due to signed employment agreements, or personal experience and ethics.
My reason for posting on this board, besides learning from others, is to try to direct posters to accurate information. When personal information about me was posted, confidential information I knew that would benefit area residents could no longer be shared. I can't tell the confidential information I know; consequently, I try to think of questions to post to remind people to get FACTS when you have to have them.
Norcalmom101, I appreciate your comments. I'd honestly forgotten until today as I read about your son's orthodontist etc. about the other healthcare organization at least was planning to enter the Idaho Falls area. What your comments reminded me of, is things are changing at most hospitals, even in the last year.
Perhaps a good way to ask questions in this thread is to state the medical need, like was done above. It benefits no one for some who really may not know, to say procedure X, or a piece of sophisticated medical equipment is available at any hospital in eastern ID, when in reality, there may be only one facility that offers the care. Other, more general questions about access to to physicians to specialties available may yield much more information.
For those who live in a highly capitated state, please realize Idaho's and Wyoming's low rate of managed care may make what you are really trying to ask, given where you might live vs. what residents have available in Idaho Falls area, unable to answer your specific question as they have never experienced the concern or need. What may seem as odd answers to some aren't, based on where one currently or previously lived.
Sometimes asking if one can see a doctor may sound odd to someone in the Idaho Falls area. However, in certain states or metro areas, where managed care, Medicaid/Medicare or Medical is high, the thought of actually seeing a trained physician essentially as often as your insurance/third party payor will allow you to do so vs. being restricted to 2-6 visits annually with any physician, is a fear/concern. I know of an insurance that allows anyone covered to see a physician 2 times each year. It doesn't matter if they are different needs or specialties. While this is probably the most restrictive policy I've ever encountered, it exists in certain U.S. states. However, I've never seen it in Idaho.
Once again, while I think this war is now over since Bannock County voters voted, if you want to post about healthcare in Pocatello, please start your own new thread and write whatever you wish. That is NOT the purpose of this thread.
I hope we can have a useful thread providing information about medical care for current and those looking at living in the Idaho Falls medical service area.
The first question I ask about any practitioner I am considering a relationship with is "what is their training and where did they go to school?"
This tells me two things. Firstly, I can get a sense right off the bat of the quality of support staff based on the reaction to this question. Do they know? Do they care? Do they know how to find out? Are they going to? Secondly, if I'm lucky, I get the answer to my question.
It sounds to me like you are tiptoeing around some significant issues pertaining to the clinics in Shelley, perhaps with good reason. I'm awfully tired at the moment, but sounds to me like there might be certain emergencies it would be best to report as occuring proximal to EIRMC rather than subjecting oneself to the protocol of being routed to a hospital farther out but affiliated perhaps too closely with ones primary physician, or more exactly with the PA's operating under a primary physician's license. Is that kind of where this is going?
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It was really a loss for both the information shared from those who know about healthcare in Idaho Falls and for those wanting to visit or relocate to the area. 
MFM Clinic and Level III NICU Make This Possible in Idaho Falls:
regaurding health care
Cancer Care in Idaho Falls
Ask Questions; KNOW THE ANSWERS BEFORE YOU NEED TO KNOW
Maybe that organization will do better in Idaho Falls than what I've seen in different states. I believe that organization had clinical practices in the greater area you left, norcalmom101, but I may be wrong. I try NOT to keep up with that particular healthcare organization, but now will be foolish not to learn as much as I can. 
Please Ask Questions as Services and Personnel Change
