Hospital opens new, affordable care clinic
Madera Community Hospital has opened RapidCare, billed as a fast and affordable alternative for non-emergency “walk-in” medical care.
RapidCare, a hospital-based clinic on the Madera Community Hospital Campus, south of the Emergency Department, provides symptom-related patient care Monday through Friday from 3 to 11 p.m.
Last year, more than 38,000 patients received care in Madera Community Hospital’s Emergency Department. An evaluation of patient visits, symptom acuity and wait time during peak hours led hospital Leadership to provide the community with an alternative to the Emergency Department (ED).
“Although our ED has one of the lowest wait times in the region, the Board of Trustees supports initiatives to expand healthcare access and improve service to the community,” said Stell Manfredi, chair of Madera Community Hospital Board of Trustees. “We believe RapidCare will meet our community’s need for after-hours non-emergency care.”
By law, patients seeking care in the Emergency Department are prioritized by symptom acuity; those with emergency symptoms are treated first regardless of their arrival time. The Emergency Department patient triage protocols impact the wait time for those patients suffering from and seeking medical attention for non-emergency symptoms. “RapidCare essentially ‘fast-tracks’ a patient’s time to treatment by expanding clinic hours and eliminating the need for an appointment,” said Karen Paolinelli, FNP, vice president and chief operating officer. “Patients seeking wellness or injury care at Family Health Services RapidCare receive the benefits of on-site laboratory and x-ray services, in a licensed facility” Paolinelli added.
Emergency services are complicated and highly regulated. The regulations, including extensive standards of care, result in optimal patient outcomes for medical emergencies; stroke, heart attack or trauma patients. Emergency Department standards create an unnecessary time impediment and financial burden for patients with less severe symptoms.
“RapidCare is an excellent alternative for any patient with a primary care provider needing immediate care after medical offices are closed for the day,” said Paolinelli. The RapidCare Team of providers welcomes all age groups — pediatrics to geriatrics. All patients are provided care without an appointment and can call, 675-5555, ask for RapidCare, to receive the estimated wait time before seeing a provider.
Madera Community Hospital has recruited a team of medical providers and support staff experienced in high volume clinics to ensure diagnostic quality and patient satisfaction. All direct patient care is provided by Roland Ouellette, FNP, in collaboration with Emergency Medicine Specialist Richard Thistle, Jr., MD.
