News

Oregon Public Health has established a statewide nurse triage hotline for the public due to the increased utilization of hospital emergency rooms during this flu season.

Heavy patient demand in ERs has been a critical issue this flu season, which further strains the system.

With the Nurse Triage Flu Hotline, hospitals now have an additional resource to help screen patients before they arrive in the ER with flu-like symptoms.

One of the primary goals of this service is to avoid unnecessary ER or clinic visits if self care is the most appropriate course of treatment.

The outcomes of the triage line will include personalized advice on home care, recommendation to seek care from the caller's regular provider, a referral to a provider, or referral to the ER if appropriate.

The hotline is staffed by a nurse on Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM and on weekends from 8 AM to 5 PM.However, this line also offers very helpful recorded flu information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week which will likely satisfy the needs of many callers.

This triage line is also for healthcare providers, such as physicians and nurses who have clinical questions about the flu.

Nurse Triage Line: 1-800-978-3040