Medical Shortage Leads Practitioner to Quit Clinic, Transition to Old-School Home Visits

As it turns out, doing medicine the old-fashioned way just might be best, at least that is the case for Nurse Practitioner Jay Salls, who, by navigating the medical staffing shortages in northern Taos County, decided to reevaluate how to best treat local patients.

Salls has been running his practice out of his home as he conducts telephonic and in-home visits for patients needing care. “I figured let’s make it easy for people out here, that way people don’t have to wait for medical care, or spend half their day waiting to be seen, then wait even longer for prescriptions to be written,” Salls says.
Previously, he worked for the Questa Clinic, where for much of his tenure, was the sole provider, seeing as many as 24 patients in one day, including returning phone calls and responding to emails. “Working in the healthcare scene where there is so much to do and so many patients to follow up with, and the ongoing shortage of providers, it just pushed me to move into my own practice, where I am able to manage my caseload, come to patients in their homes, and make it easier for them to receive care.”

Salls travels throughout Taos County, providing urgent medical care to patients, regardless of the time. “When I was studying to become a nurse practitioner, I found through my research that people living in rural communities are often disenfranchised when it comes to medical availability and medical care. That really made me passionate about making medical care more accessible in the Questa and Taos areas.”

Through his practice, Salls says he was able to expand, hiring an office manager who handles the paperwork side of the business. “We accept all insurance and it’s easy to call and make an appointment to be seen. My office manager, Brittany, has experience running dental offices and she has been such a God-send!”

Salls provides emergent and urgent services to patients who are dealing with bronchial and respiratory illnesses, broken bones, and stomach issues, to name just a few conditions. He is also certified to do in-home procedures for patients.

“We are expanding the services we’re able to provide. We want to ensure we’re adequately equipped to help people as quickly as we’re able. Sometimes, if a patient is in need, we can help stabilize them until they get to the E.R.” His practice has grown significantly over the past several months, and anticipates bringing on new providers in the future to meet the growing interest and need.

To schedule an in-home medical visit, call or text (575) 770-5528.