HOUGHTON - Getting medical care for certain illnesses quickly, without having to wait in a doctor's office or emergency room, is the purpose of the Aspirus FastCare office in the Shopko department store.

Bob Erickson, regional chief operating officer for the Wausau, Wis.-based Aspirus System, said FastCare is based on a popular model.

"It's something that's taken off nationally," Erickson said.

The alternative to care in a hospital or doctor's office allows customers to get care quickly for minor ailments such as colds, flu and earaches, Erickson said.

"We believe patients should have a choice," he said.

The FastCare clinic is affiliated with Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital, and Chuck Nelson, AKH CEO, said the concept is popular with customers.

"There's definitely a trend to more retail health care," he said.

Patients are seen by either a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant.

The FastCare Clinic is open before and after most doctors' offices, which is convenient for customers, Nelson said. The fact that there are no other fees beyond the $49 for a visit is important to customers, also, because of the high cost of medical care.

With the convenience and low cost of the service of the clinic, Nelson said FastCare has been very popular since it opened in November.

"It's about the most timely thing we've done as an organization in the last five years," he said.

Kurt Hauglie can be reached at khauglie@mininggazette.com.