Pasadena Community Urgent Care Celebrates First Anniversary
Urgent Care Center Fulfills Needs of Local Residents and Businesses as it Approaches 20,000 Patient Visits
(PASADENA, CA – November 8, 2011) — Pasadena Community Urgent Care has celebrated its first anniversary with anticipation of surpassing 20,000 patient visits by the end of the year. Created through a unique collaboration among four community partners, the center opened in October 2010 to provide a sensible alternative to crowded hospital emergency departments for those times when people can’t wait for a doctor’s appointment but the healthcare need isn’t life threatening.
“We have been thrilled with the reception we’ve received from local residents as well as from local businesses who have appreciated our convenient hours, cost-savings and attentive staff,” said Wendy Karsten, chief executive officer of Huntington Medical Foundation whose physicians staff PCUC. “As we head into our second year, we will continue to look for new and even better ways to be a trusted resource in the community.”
PCUC includes 11 examination rooms, procedure rooms, testing laboratories and mobile X-ray equipment. Karsten says that it is a perfect place to go for broken bones, cold and flu symptoms, cuts, sprains, sports-related injuries, and high fever. The center also provides drug testing, travel vaccines, exotic vaccines, sport and DMV physicals, and hearing and vision testing. PCUC is currently providing flu vaccine in child dose, adult dose (both regular injection and the new “intradermal,” which utilizes the smallest needle delivery system possible) and high dose for seniors.
In support of the local business community, PCUC provides immediate care for on-the-job injuries as well as an array of employee health services such as pre-employment physicals, drug screenings and more. Other employee health services offered at the center include respiratory fit testing, lift evaluations, vision and hearing test services, post-accident care, and breath alcohol testing as well as X-ray and lab services.
PCUC also offers InstyMeds, a consumer-friendly medication-dispensing system that provides patients with convenience and cost savings. The prescription vending machine, located in the centers’ lobby, allows patients to receive the most commonly prescribed prescriptions right on the spot, thus avoiding the hassle of needing to go to a pharmacy following their care at the center. InstyMeds accepts all major insurance plans.
Over its first year PCUC has seen nearly 18,000 patient visits with the number continuing to rise. In addition to providing on-the-spot care, Karsten says that the center has helped identify patients with chronic illnesses who do not have a primary care physician and has made the proper referrals to assure that these individuals receive the ongoing care they need. “Along the way we have also continued to add medical groups and insurance plans to our network so as to make the center as accessible as possible to our community,” Karsten adds.
Pasadena Community Urgent Care is a unique collaboration among the city ofPasadena, Huntington Medical Foundation, Community Health Alliance of Pasadena andHuntingtonMemorialHospital. The center is located at3160 East Del Mar Blvd.and is open daily from7 a.m.to10 p.m.For urgently needed care, appointments are not necessary; however, appointments are required for employment physicals and screenings. For more information call 626-270-2400, or visit HMFUrgentCare.com.
# # #
More information on Huntington Medical Foundation, including a directory of physicians, may be obtained at www.huntingtonmedical.com.
Tags: