Wednesday, January 29, 2003

Providing accessibility, convenience

Minor Emergency Care Center has served more than 20,000

Fayette Community Hospital, one of the leading healthcare providers in Atlanta's southern crescent, opened the doors of its Minor Emergency Care Center in July of 2001. Since that time, over 20,000 area residents have utilized the services of the facility, which is located 1.7 miles east of the Hospital in the Fayette Medical Clinic Building at 105 Yorktown Drive in Fayetteville.

"The fact that so many people have relied on the Minor Emergency Care Center is a testament to the level of care, accessibility and convenience the facility provides," said Darrell Cutts, CEO of Fayette Community Hospital. "As we venture into the most growth-oriented period in the Hospital's history, it is important to continue to provide the highest level of service across the healthcare spectrum."

Cutts points out that even though the Minor Emergency Care Center is not located on the Hospital's main campus, it maintains the Hospital's high level of quality care.

"Patients have equal accessibility to both the Hospital campus and the expanded service areas and enjoy a seamless patient care experience," said Cutts. "For instance, lab results recorded at one location are readily available to physicians in the other facility. Additionally, the off-campus facility provides decreased waiting times, increased parking and accepts the same broad range of insurance as FCH."

Ben and Andrea Schwarting of Coweta County recently utilized the services of the Minor Emergency Care Center and found the service, wait time and accessibility to be top-notch. "In general, emergency rooms are associated with waiting," said Mr. Schwarting. "We found just the opposite at the Minor Emergency Care Center. We were in and out quickly, yet received personalized care."

"It's good to know that the Minor Emergency Care Center is close by and can treat our bumps, bruises, sprains and cuts," said Mrs. Schwarting.

The Minor Emergency Care Center provides walk-in care to patients with an emergency that is not perceived to be life, limb or vision threatening, including chest pain. If the situation might indicate hospital admission, patients should call 911 or go directly to the Hospital Emergency Department. The Minor Emergency Care Center is open seven days a week, including holidays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.