Fallon Clinic, a large, multi-specialty medical group practice in Central Mass., has opened ReadyMED by Fallon Clinic, a physician-staffed, walk-in medical care clinic located at 222 Boston Tpke. in Shrewsbury (Rte. 9 East, across from Walgreens). Margulies Perruzzi Architects was the architect and Cutler Associates provided construction management services for the ReadyMED facility.
Offering convenient, non-emergency medical services for adults, infants and children, ReadyMED will now be open to the public every Monday through Friday, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ReadyMED accepts most major health insurance plans.
"ReadyMED fills an important medical service gap here in the Worcester area," said Jack Dutzar, MD, president and CEO of Fallon Clinic. "While it's indisputable that we have some of the best medical care in the state available to us in the greater Worcester area, we have not, up until now, had high-quality, convenient, walk-in medical services, to meet the scheduling needs of busy families and working adults."
ReadyMED is distinct from retail clinics that have emerged in many areas of the state in that a physician is always on the premises, along with advanced practitioners and other medical professionals. Physician staffed, ReadyMED can help patients with a broader spectrum of medical illnesses— from colds, sore throats and allergic reactions, to simple fractures or wounds requiring sutures. In addition, the ReadyMED facility has X-ray and laboratory services on-site.
Designed to emphasize patient convenience, ReadyMED shows estimated wait times on its website (www.ReadyMed.org), and it offers free wireless internet in the waiting areas. In addition, patients can register for MyChart, which enables them to manage their ReadyMED medical record online, including viewing lab results and after-visit summaries.
"ReadyMED gives people in the greater Worcester area a significant new medical resource," said Nelson Yuen, MD, ReadyMED's medical director.
"Very often when people have non-emergency medical issues and they cannot get in to see their primary care doctors, they opt to visit a hospital emergency department, which can be inconvenient, time-consuming and a poor use of the emergency room resource. With ReadyMED, people can get the quality medical care they need in a timely and appropriate manner."
In addition to being an added resource for individuals and families, ReadyMED seeks to be a partner with physicians in the community, who can refer patients for non-emergency care during times when they may be booked for the day or closed in the evenings or on weekends. ReadyMED's medical staff will make concerted efforts to communicate openly with community physicians whose patients seek care at the new walk-in clinic, according to Dr. Dutzar.
Fallon Clinic, a non-profit organization, is a large, multi-specialty group practice in Central Massachusetts. Fallon Clinic physicians and healthcare professionals offer the region's most comprehensive array of primary care and specialty services, supported with cutting-edge technologies and service-oriented processes. Founded in 1929 by a team of physicians from the Mayo Clinic led by Dr. John Fallon, Fallon Clinic continues to grow and thrive. Based in Worcester, Fallon Clinic has over 1,700 employees and approximately 250 physicians who see patients in more than 20 locations, including the Worcester Medical Center. Fallon Clinic accepts a broad range of insurance coverage, including plans from all major Massachusetts' payers. More information about Fallon Clinic can be found by visiting www.fallonclinic.org