A new service for those residents who have questions regarding available health care services due to the closing of Audrain Community Hospital is being started by the Audrain County Health Department (ACHD).

“We are launching what we are calling our Nurse Navigator program for residents in Audrain County who may no longer have access to their doctor or health services through the closing of Noble Health’s Audrain Community Hospital,” ACHD administrator and CEO Craig Brace said. “This service will help answer questions by some of our residents about where to turn now for health care and services in Audrain County.”

The program recently launched and is available to area residents through a phone call to 573-581-1332 and asking for the Nurse Navigator.

“Our nursing staff will answer questions area residents may have about how to access health care in Audrain County now that some of those services have closed, or been delayed, with the hospitals closing,” Brace said. “Residents may now wonder if there is a nearby walk-in clinic or where residents can get a COVID-19 booster shot or where they can now get lab tests. Our intent is to provide those answers to our residents based on the latest information. It is a needed service while the hospital situation is being studied and plans made about how to return those lost services to our county.”

Nurse Navigator will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. via telephone. If a nurse is not available at the time of your call, you can leave your name and a return phone number for them to contact you back, which they will do later the day of your call or the next business day.

“This is not an emergency line if you have a medical emergency,” Brace said. “If you have a medical emergency, we still want you to call 9-1-1 in order to get emergency help for you or your family.”