STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Steamboat Emergency Center is now offering house calls for residents and visitors who aren't feeling well but don't want to leave the comfort of their home, hotel or condo.

Using the Center's courtesy shuttle, an emergency medical technician will travel to patients around Steamboat, able to treat ailments ranging from nausea, vomiting, dehydration and altitude sickness as well as minor injury screening and testing for flu, strep and mono.

The EMT will monitor the patient's vitals before teleconferencing with one of the Emergency Center's on-duty physicians to diagnose and create a treatment plan or, if necessary, arrange transport.

The center is promoting the new “Medical House Call” service as a convenient and individualized option for those who are not able to get an appointment with their regular physician or for those who are unable to leave their home, said Kristen Lillie, Steamboat Emergency Center's director of marketing, in a news release.

"It is also a wonderful option for tourists who are visiting our valley, as many vacationers are unlikely to know what options are available in a foreign town or what health care office to visit, " Lillie said.

Michael Hickey, director of operations at Steamboat Emergency Center, describes the new service as a return to the historical tradition of doctors making house calls.

"There was quite a bit of interest from hotels about whether we could do home visits," said Dr. Dallas Bailes, Steamboat Emergency Center medical director and physician-owner.

As the center marks just more than a year in business, Bailes said it is also part of their ongoing effort to identify needs and services desired in the community that don’t currently exist and that the Center can test out and provide.

So far, they've had great feedback and interest in the program from the hospitality industry, according to Hickey.

The service starts at a rate of $350, which would include checking vitals, a medical consultation and an IV of fluids. For a "second-tier service" and an additional $200, the EMT can draw blood for laboratory tests.

Comparatively, an IV of fluids at the center would cost about $150, Bailes said.

At this time, Bailes said a house call would not be appropriate for a patient needing stitches or other injuries requiring medical services only available at the center.

The service is available from noon to 8 p.m. seven days per week through Jan. 14. After that, it will be available from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

At this time, there is just one courtesy shuttle in operation for both the home visits and free shuttle rides to the center.

Bailes said, if the new service is successful and warrants adding more shuttles and an increased level of care, they will look at that in the future.

To request the service or for more information, call the Steamboat Emergency Center's main line at 970-846-6230. All requests will first be evaluated by a medical professional to determine the severity of the patient's complaint.

To reach Kari Dequine Harden, call 970-871-4205, email kharden@SteamboatPilot.com or follow her on Twitter @KariHarden.