Shawnee Mission Health Celebrates 30th Anniversary and more than 3.2 Million Calls into the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center

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Friday, August 19, marks the 30th Anniversary of the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center at Shawnee Mission Health. The call center has averaged 275 calls per day on health issues ranging from insect bites to food poisoning to cardiac concerns, which adds up to more than 3.2 million calls over the last three decades.

ASK-A-NURSE staff members also schedule appointments, provide information regarding community health events and screenings, register people for educational classes and events and facilitate hospital to hospital transfers.

"It is a privilege to have served as a resource for our community for the past 30 years," said Melissa Foster, manager of the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center. "It's heartwarming to be in a position to provide advice to people in need. Our callers always seem very grateful for the care, and we have a great deal of satisfaction in providing that assistance."

Although many people turn to online research for answers to their health questions, the information can be contradictory, confusing and unreliable. When callers talk to the registered nurses at ASK-A-NURSE, they receive a professional and caring approach.

"We provide accurate information, clarity and human interaction in one call," said Foster. "Our callers are able to discuss their health concerns in a natural, two-way conversation, and everything discussed is confidential."

ASK-A-NURSE helps people regardless of their insurance situation, providing a free resource to the local community. Callers to the ASK-A-NURSE line do not need to be existing SMH patients. Nurses follow up with callers who have been directed to seek medical care to ensure they received the care they required.

ASK-A-NURSE employs 22 registered nurses who average 24 years of nursing experience.

To learn more about the history of ASK-A-NURSE, please visit online. For answers to health questions or to find a doctor, call the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center at 913-676-7777.

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