NCH’s Immediate Care Centers have new hours
On Sunday, April 29, Northwest Community Healthcare adjusted the hours of its Immediate Care Centers to establish a uniform schedule across each facility and to provide care 365 days a year.
The hours at each of NCH’s four Immediate Care Centers in Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, Mount Prospect and Schaumburg now are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, as well as weekends and holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
NCH’s Immediate Care Centers offer convenient and responsive outpatient care for the treatment of minor conditions that are not life-threatening, such as sprains and bruises, cuts and burns, minor fractures and broken bones, and flu symptoms. Outpatient lab and imaging services also are available.
According to Michael Hartke, executive vice president of Clinics and Regional Services at NCH, standardizing the hours of operation across all NCH Immediate Care Centers makes visiting multiple locations easier for patients.
“With multiple locations in the area, patients will visit the Immediate Care Center that’s near their home or work, depending on where an urgent care need occurs,” said Hartke.
“For patients, knowing that all of our Immediate Care Centers operate on the same schedule will save time spent online or on the phone confirming hours.”
In addition to the hour adjustments, NCH’s Immediate Care Centers now offer year-round care, so patients can access board-certified physicians any day of the week, including holidays.
Hartke said that ease of access is important for people who need to see a doctor quickly, but he points out that identifying the right level of care is an important decision not to overlook.
“Not every illness or condition requires the same level of care. Retail clinics are for basic health exams, Immediate Care is for treatment of minor health issues from a physician, and the emergency room is for only the most serious, life-threatening conditions,” Hartke said.
“Patients can save a lot of time and money by understanding these levels of care and by going to the right place for the right care.”
For locations of NCH’s Immediate Care Centers, and to learn more about which level of care is right for you and your family, visit www.nch.org/levelsofcare.