Western New York Immediate Care Responds to Independent Health
Independent Health Association (IHA) issued a Media Statement to all of its members stating that they have ended their relationship with Western New York Immediate Care as of January of 2012. This is untrue as referenced in a certified letter received by our organization from IHA where they assured us that we are contracted with them through December 2012. Please be assured that we will continue to serve all patients with Independent Health insurance through December 2012 and, hopefully, for years to come.
IHA indicated that they have been trying to negotiate a new agreement with us, and they claim that we are proposing a contract that would place our reimbursement at nearly twice the amount they are paying other area urgent care centers. This is not true. Independent Health has presented us with a proposal that significantly reduces the rates we have had in place since 2005.
Please note: Western New York Immediate Care has not sought or received an increase in rates from Independent Health since 2005. And, we are not asking for a rate increase from Independent Health!
We have argued to maintain the rates presently in place so that we may continue to reinvest in new technology to not only provide the excellent service the community has come to expect, but to consistently enhance and improve the efficiencies and capabilities of each of our centers.
While Western New York Immediate Care has been able to maintain the same rate structure for six years through the implementation of internally developed quality and efficiency initiatives, IHA has in fact tripled their premiums to their members.
Western New York Immediate Care believes IHA’s significant increase in premiums over the past six years is what is ‘unrealistic and unsustainable.’ Immediate Care received the same rates when subscriber premiums were one-third of what they are today, however, our rates are now described as “unsustainable.”
This is just another example of IHA using their power to control the market and crush smaller entities. All other payers in the community strongly support the high quality healthcare services that Western New York Immediate Care provides to their members.
IHA speaks about quality but refuses to support a quality endeavor. Instead they have resorted to calling urgent care a “commodity.” Western New York Immediate Care is not a “commodity,” but a system of professional individuals focused on ensuring the highest quality of healthcare services to the residents of a community in which we and our families live, work and play. Just ask anyone who has visited one of our facilities.
Recently, Western New York Immediate Care has achieved significant milestones which have identified us as a unique and superior brand within the arena of urgent care. All of our facilities are built to rigorous New York State Department of Health Standards. Consequently, our principal facility recently received New York State Department of Health approval as a licensed Diagnostic and Treatment facility. No other urgent care center in New York State espouses this designation.
Western New York Immediate Care recently completed an extensive review by The Joint Commission, an organization officially sanctioned by the United Sates federal government as an accrediting body. In this review we were recognized as a system which demonstrated a commitment to the highest level of patient safety and patient care nationally. Instead of visiting our urgent care centers and being treated by the highest quality medical providers, IHA now proposes that its members call their Medical helpline. Apparently, this is what IHA recognizes as quality, patient centered healthcare.
IHA states that, “Setting Western New York Immediate Care’s fee schedule to be in line with our current standard fee schedule would save our members approximately $1.9 million.” We would ask any IHA member to recall the last time they received a check from IHA described as a saving to that member.
In closing, Western New York Immediate Care can guarantee the community that we will maintain our 2005 rates with no increases for the next five years. Please ask Independent Health if they will do the same.
Thank you for your continued support of our effort to deliver the highest, most cost efficient healthcare in our community. We ask that you call your IHA representative and remind them of the importance of Western New York Immediate Care in the healthcare community and insist that they continue their relationship with us.
Sincerely,
Western New York Immediate Care
Western New York Immediate Care to Open Fifth Facility, Its First Urgent Care Center within Buffalo City Limits
December 8, 2011
Of the more than 90,000 people treated at the four Western New York Immediate Care facilities in the Buffalo area during the past year, approximately 12,000 had a City of Buffalo address, suggesting many had to travel out of their residential areas for urgent medical care.
This changes on Monday, December 12, 2011 with the opening of WNY Immediate Care – Buffalo, located at 2497 Delaware Ave. in North Buffalo, just the third urgent care service within city limits. However, unlike the others, it is a free-standing yet fully equipped facility whose sole purpose is urgent care.
Among the unique attributes of its Delaware staff are language capabilities in Spanish and Croatian, which will serve these area communities. The phone number is 716-874-2273; the web site is www.wnyimmediatecare.com
WNY Immediate Care - Buffalo is on the site of the former Gallagher Printing plant, which moved operations to its Clarence facility in the fall of 2010. The printing plant was demolished and a new, fully appointed Immediate Care facility has been constructed. Incentives from the Erie County Industrial Development Authority helped bring the Immediate Care facility to Buffalo.
“We’re grateful to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and the Erie County Industrial Development Authority for helping us in the creation of this newest Immediate Care facility,” said Gregory Daniel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief Executive Officer of Exigence. “It is our privilege to offer urgent care excellence to the many neighborhoods and communities in the North Buffalo area.”
“We look to the hospital emergency departments to do what they do best– care for patients with serious injury and illness such as heart attack, stroke and major trauma,” adds Dr. Daniel. “We look to primary care physicians to do what they do best – maintain health and manage complex illness, and we look to urgent care centers to offer patients quick access for their immediate medical needs.”
The new facility is 7,400 sq. feet; it features 12 exam rooms and two procedure rooms and is equipped with digital X-ray, laboratory and other diagnostic capabilities. Board-certified physicians assisted by nurses, physician assistants and lab technicians care for patients.
Open from 9 am to 10 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 8 pm on weekends and with no appointment required, WNY Immediate Care - Buffalo offers access and speed when a personal physician is not available and a trip to the emergency department will likely disrupt an entire day or evening and cost patients and insurers an arm and a leg! Most insurance plans are accepted and most patients are treated and released in about an hour.
Typical of the illness and injuries treated at WNY Immediate Care facilities are cuts and lacerations, animal and insect bites, sprains and fractures, eye injuries, minor burns, ear infections, cold and flu symptoms, pneumonia and bronchitis, urinary tract and other infections, abdominal and back pain. WNY Immediate Care also conducts school, employment and sports-related physical exams.
In addition to the construction jobs it created and the expenditures during construction, WNY Immediate Care - Delaware created 18 full-time and 10 part-time jobs, contributing to the growth of the local economy and the vibrancy of its immediate area.
Access and Capacity
The opening of another Immediate Care facility in the Buffalo area comes at a time when primary care physicians are under-numbered and over-burdened and hospital emergency departments are busier than ever. The number of primary care physicians – internists, pediatricians and family practice physicians – is declining and shortages are projected both locally and nationwide. Appointments with primary care physicians are being scheduled several days or weeks in advance, and many PCP practices are closed to new patients. So, where does this leave patients with non-life threatening injuries or illness who need care right now?
Another factor affecting capacity is the push by insurers to minimize unnecessary visits to emergency rooms. A wide-reaching study of emergency room visits in upstate New York, published in May of 2009 by upstate New York insurer Lifetime Health/Excellus (Univera in Buffalo), finds close to 43% of ER patient visits could be cared for elsewhere, citing alternative settings such urgent care centers, and significant cost-savings since care in an emergency department is very expensive.
The Urgent Care Association of America charts growth from an estimated 8,100 urgent care facilities in 2007 to an estimated 8,700 today, and those figures include facilities in the Buffalo area.
The Exigence Group
Headquartered in Amherst, New York, The Exigence Group (www.theexigencegroup.com) is national healthcare management organization owned and managed by physicians. With clients throughout the United States, Exigence develops and manages Emergency Medicine, Hospitalist, Urgent Care, Occupational Medicine and Patient Centered Medical Home programs. In addition, Exigence provides consulting services in areas such as emergency department design, information technology infrastructure, electronic medical record systems, on-call panels and more.
WNY Immediate Care - Buffalo is the company’s eighth urgent care facility; it now manages five Immediate Care facilities in the Buffalo area (Delaware Ave. and locations in Williamsville, Amherst, Orchard Park and Cheektowaga); one in Austin, Texas; and two in Rochester, NY (in Greece and in Webster).
DeCarlo Name Site Administrator of New Buffalo Immediate Care
September 12, 2011
Western New York Immediate Care announces the appointment of Site Administrator, Jacqueline DeCarlo for its Buffalo location that will open in the fourth quarter of 2011. DeCarlo is responsible for day-to-day operations, leadership of clinical and clerical staff in addition to patient satisfaction at the urgent care center.
Prior to joining Western New York Immediate Care, DeCarlo worked at Lockport Memorial Hospital for 29 years where she most recently served as the Day Charge Nurse. Previously, she was responsible for quality assurance, policy preparation and procedures and assuring clinical competencies as the Patient Care Coordinator in the Emergency Department. DeCarlo won the New York State Nurse of Distinction in 1994 and is a previous member of Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society for Nurses.
DeCarlo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from D'Youville College and is currently pursuing an MBA from Medaille College.
Belaya Dermatology & Skin Care Now Open
January 25, 2011
January 25, 2011 –Belaya Dermatology & Skin Care, a medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology practice under the direction of board-certified dermatologist, Patricia Burden, MD, MBA, FAAD, announces it’s opening. The practice is located within WNY Immediate Care at 5014 Transit Road in Cheektowaga. Belaya Dermatology & Skin Care is now accepting new patients of all ages.
Dr. Burden, a Western New York native, is a Board Certified Dermatologist with over 25 years of experience. She earned an undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a medical degree from Albany Medical College. Dr. Burden entered active duty in the Army and completed her internship in OB/GYN at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She served as a General Medical Officer at Natick Research Labs in Natick, Massachusetts, and Womack Community Hospital at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Her residency training in dermatology was completed at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. She practiced dermatology in Augsburg, Germany, and Ft. Meade, Maryland. She continued her dermatology practice in San Antonio, Texas where she taught dermatology to Physicians Assistants, cared for patients in the dermatology residency program at Brooke Army Medical Center, and then retired from the military to solo practice for 10 years. Dr. Burden relocated back to Western New York to be with family and friends, and to serve the community.
Dr. Burden is committed to helping her patients with and array of skin concerns including, skin cancer detection and prevention, acne, eczema and psoriasis. In addition, the practice offers Botox®, glycolic peels, fillers including Restylane®, Juvederm®, Perlane®, Radiesse® and other skin care products and services. Belaya Dermatology’s goal is to offer peace of mind to patients of all ages by providing personalized quality care and services which will improve quality of life.
Patients looking to schedule an appointment should call 716.601.6884 or 1.877.2Belaya (toll free). Belaya Dermatology is open Mondays 9am – 6pm; Tuesdays 8am – 5pm; Wednesdays 9am – 6pm and Thursdays 8am – 5pm.
Belaya Dermatology is managed by The Exigence Group which is headquartered in Amherst, NY. Exigence is a national healthcare management organization owned and managed by physicians and specializing in the design and management of emergency medicine, hospitalist, urgent care, occupational medicine, wellness programs, patient centered medical homes and specialist medical service practices.
In the Face of Increasing Incidence of Flu in New York, Vaccine is Still Available and Recommended
January 11, 2011
AMHERST, NY - According to figures from the New York State Department of Health, the influenza season is starting to take hold. As measured by the percentage of hospital emergency department visits that are for influenza-like symptoms, the highest weekly activity is on Long Island, with a January 1, 2011 weekly high of 8.98% of ED visits for flu.
While the comparable weekly activity is lower for the Rochester and Buffalo regions at 5.22%, it is on the rise.
A bout with the flu can knock a healthy person off his or her feet for a week with fatigue, fever, cough, body aches and pains. Certain segments of the population – people over age 65, children under two, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes – are at higher risk for complications from the flu, “so these people should make getting a flu vaccine a priority in their lives,” says Joseph Chow, MD, medical director of Western New York Immediate Care. “Even in January, it’s not too late to get your vaccination and give yourself the best possible chance at prevention.”
In fact, New York's Department of Health is reporting that two children have died from influenza related illness this year and 285 patients have been reported to have been hospitalized for the flu in New York State this season. For those cases with patient age reported, the majority have been under age 4 or over age 65.
Dr. Chow notes that this year’s vaccine protects against three different viruses: the H3N2 virus, the influenza B virus, and last year’s swine flu H1N1 virus.
“Even if you received a vaccine in 2009 for both flu and swine flu, this year’s three-part vaccine – administered in a single dose – gives you the best possible protection,” he adds. “Influenza viruses change each year, so the vaccines change as well.”
The flu is highly contagious, spread by coughing and sneezing. While hand washing and other common sense preventative measures may help – the way they do against the common cold – “the influenza virus is just as contagious as the common cold though its symptoms are much more dramatic,” says Dr. Chow. “Western New York Immediate Care has a limited supply of the vaccine on hand and our physicians and nurses are ready to administer it.”
At Western New York Immediate Care, no appointment is necessary. Most insurance plans cover the cost of a flu shot. Locations are in Cheektowaga, Williamsville, Orchard Park and Amherst.
WNY Immediate Care to Hold Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic
September 22, 2010
AMHERST, NY—Western New York Immediate Care will host the second annual drive-thru flu shot clinic on Sat., September 25 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at its Orchard Park facility located at 3050 Orchard Park Rd (next door to Duff’s restaurant and Leisure Rinks). Patients will be able to drive up and receive a flu vaccine without even leaving their car.
“This is a very convenient way for patients to receive their preventative vaccine,” said Dr. Joseph Chow, WNY Immediate Care Medical Director. “The flu continues to be an annual nuisance for many, and flu shots can help stop the spread of the disease. We believe this is the only drive-through flu clinic in Western New York.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised that everyone over the age of 6 months and pregnant women should receive the shot. The vaccine is designed to protect against the main strains of flu that researchers predict will cause the most illness later this year.
Dr. Cosgrove also says that taking first aid and training classes can help you to get involved should disaster strike in your community.
Most insurance plans will cover the cost of the flu shot. The cost for self-pay patients is $35.
For more information call WNY Immediate Care at 716.675.3700 or visit http://www.wnyimmediatecare.com/.
WNY Immediate Care Physicians Talk About National Preparedness Month
September 17, 2010
AMHERST, NY—September has been designated as National Preparedness Month, and Western New York Immediate Care physicians are offering suggestions on how to plan for an emergency.
“Every second that passes in an emergency is crucial,” said Dr. Edward Cosgrove, Medical Director at WNY Immediate Care. “Having an organized plan can cut down on confusion and keep everyone safe.”
The Center for Disease Control lists four-steps to achieve proper preparedness. They are: 1. Get or Make an Emergency Kit 2. Make a Plan 3. Be Informed 4. Get Involved
Dr. Cosgrove suggests making a preparedness kit with enough bottled water and non-perishable foods to last three days. Families and individuals should also create an emergency plan listing a meetup location and contact information.
Individuals can stay informed by keeping abreast of the latest media via the Web, mobile phone, newspapers, television and radio stations.
Dr. Cosgrove also says that taking first aid and training classes can help you to get involved should disaster strike in your community.
“Emergency response training and supporting first responders can really make a difference in a life or death situation,” Cosgrove said. “Many community responders also hold community exercises and workshops in preparing for a disaster.”
Hospitals are also prime examples of preparedness. Mercy Hospital of Buffalo conducts full-scale decontamination exercises in the event of a hazardous materials spill. The drills include activations of the hospital’s Emergency Operations Center and Patient Decontamination Plan. Mock patients arrive at the hospital and are put through a simulated decontamination process which includes an outdoor decontamination “tent” and the outfitting of hospital staff with personal protective equipment.
National Preparedness Month is sponsored by the Ready campaign, Citizen Corps and the Advertising Council to promote vigilance in Americans. Nearly 2,700 organizations have joined in the efforts to raise awareness about natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
The Exigence Group names new WNY Immediate Care Site Administrator
September 8, 2010
AMHERST, NY—The Exigence Group has hired Brenda Ackley as Site Administrator for Western New York Immediate Care’s Transit Road location.
Ms. Ackley will oversee all administrative and operational aspects of her Immediate Care facility. This will include planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the clinical department and the employees, providing leadership and direction to professional and clerical staff. She most recently served as the Executive Director of Bassett Park Manor in Williamsville. She earned a Master of Health Services Administration from Xavier University in Ohio and a B.S. in health Services Administration from the State University College of New York Brockport.
Western New York Immediate Care physicians warn about whooping cough
August 27, 2010
AMHERST, NY—In light of the current whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic in California, which is on pace to be the largest there in decades, and increasing pertussis activity in Pennsylvania and in upstate New York (as reported by the New York Times), physicians at Western New York Immediate Care express concern for the residents of the Buffalo area:
While whooping cough (pertussis) mostly affects infants under one year of age, it can also cause significant symptoms in toddlers and school-age children as well as adults that can last up to three months or longer if untreated. The bacteria that cause pertussis can be spread by children who did not receive their vaccines or by adults who may have received the vaccines as children but did not receive a booster and are no longer immune.
While all infants and children should be vaccinated in the regimen recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, older children and adults also must be up to date with their vaccines, both to prevent them from getting sick themselves and so they don’t aid and abet the transmission of pertussis to others.
“While pertussis in infants and children remains an on-going health concern, what is emerging is a renewed concern for teenagers and adults who have let their childhood vaccinations lapse,” says WNY Immediate Care medical director Joseph Chow, M.D. “This appears to be part of the problem in California and what we want to avoid in Buffalo - we can’t let teens and adults off the hook.”
“Adults and teens who have not kept up with their booster shots leave themselves vulnerable to this highly infectious bacteria – they can catch it and suffer the serious effects of whooping cough AND they can spread it to others.”
Pertussis starts like a common cold but then often progresses to intense, almost violent, fits of coughing followed by a forced gulping for air with a “whooping” sound (hence, its popular name). There is often no or only low grade fever. This can be a tricky symptom for older patients as the characteristic "whoop" is mostly absent.
Pertussis can cause pneumonia, seizures and death, particularly in infants less than four months of age. In adults, it causes a stubborn, annoying, sometimes violent cough that just doesn’t go away or get better.
Dr. Chow’s immediate recommendations:
• Parents should make sure their children receive the recommended 5-dose primary vaccination series against pertussis (DTaP) at 2, 4, 6 and 15-18 months and at 4-6 years of age. This series is required of children before they enter school.
• Parents must seek medical attention immediately if their child develops a severe cough that interferes with feeding and/or sleeping and for milder coughs that don’t improve after a week.
• Adolescents (ideally at age 11-12) and adults should receive a booster vaccine for pertussis.
• Anyone who has been in close contact with a known or suspected case of pertussis should seek medical care to determine if testing, antibiotic prophylaxis and/or boost vaccination is indicated.
• Adults and adolescents with severe cough or coughs lasting longer than two weeks should be evaluated by a physician.
• Practice good cough hygiene (cover your cough, wash your hands frequently, etc.).
• Adults: Stay away from infants when you are coughing.
Rochester Immediate Care Open For Business
May 10, 2010
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY—The Exigence Group, a national healthcare management organization that is owned and managed by physicians, opened its newest urgent care center, Rochester Immediate Care on May 6 in Greece, NY. Residents now have a new, fast option for the treatment of non-life threatening illness and injuries.
Located at 2745 West Ridge Road, Rochester Immediate Care features a warm and welcoming lobby and waiting area, 16 new exam and treatment rooms, and is equipped with X-ray, laboratory and other diagnostic capabilities. Board-certified physicians assisted by nurses, physician assistants and lab technicians, care for all patients.
Rochester Immediate Care is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekends, 365 days a year. No appointments are required. In most cases, patients are treated and released in about an hour. The cost to both the patient and insurance provider is significantly lower than the cost of a visit to an emergency room. The phone number is 585.225.5252; the web site is www.rochesterimmediatecare.com.
Managed by The Exigence Group, RIC is the company’s fifth facility. It manages three Immediate Care facilities in the Buffalo area under Western New York Immediate Care and one in Austin, Texas, Austin Immediate Care.
“The communities we serve have embraced the Immediate Care concept and we fully expect the Rochester area to embrace us as well,” said Gregory Daniel, M.D., M.B.A., Chief Executive Officer of Exigence. “By providing convenient, quality healthcare by board certified physicians and experienced staff, and a friendly and welcoming experience, Rochester Immediate Care will meet consumer demand for this kind of medical service.”
Currently headquartered in Williamsville, New York, Exigence develops and manages customized Emergency Medicine, Hospitalist, Urgent Care, Occupational Medicine and Wellness programs. The organization serves over 500,000 patients annually. Exigence also provides consulting services in areas such as Emergency Department design, electronic medical record systems, urgent care management, rapid response programs and on-call panels.
WNY Immediate Care Appoints Site Administrators
May 5, 2009
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY—Western New York Immediate Care announced today the appointment of two Site Administrators, Maria Gambino, RN, MBA and Deborah Schmitt, RN, MPA. Site Administrators are responsible for day-to-day operations and ensuring the hallmark of our operation: patient satisfaction. Ms. Gambino will manage the facility located on Transit Road in Williamsville, and Ms. Schmitt will manage the facility located on Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst. Ms. Kelly Lloyd, RN, manages the firm’s third location in Orchard Park, NY.
Ms. Gambino has ten years of management experience including consulting and servicing the adult senior vision population for the Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired. She also served as Director of Services for the Division of Special Needs for Erie County. A Registered Nurse, Ms. Gambino worked for Women’s and Children’s Hospital in high-risk maternity health and pediatric care. In addition to earning a nursing degree from the Millard Fillmore School of Nursing, she earned a B.S. in Business Management from D’Youville College and an MBA from the University at Buffalo.
Ms. Schmitt is a Registered Nurse who has worked in a variety of clinical settings including emergency medicine, intensive care and occupational medicine. She also has over ten years of progressive management experience, beginning as the Program and Marketing Director for an occupational medicine program and the Administrator for the Wyoming County Certified Home Health Agency. Most recently, Ms. Schmitt was Commissioner of Social Services for Wyoming County. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Masters degree in Public Administration from SUNY College at Brockport.
Western New York Immediate Care’s three state-of-the-art medical centers provide access for acute illness and injury care when a patient’s primary care physician is unavailable. Immediate Care provides cost effective and efficient healthcare services—including diagnostic tests, laboratory services and x-rays—allowing Emergency Departments to focus on patients with truly life-threatening conditions. Most Immediate Care patients are treated and released within an hour. We are open 365 days a year at our three locations: 7616 Transit Road, Williamsville; 2099 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Amherst; and 3050 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park.
WNY Immediate Care Opens Third Facility
July 22, 2008
WILLIAMSVILLE, NY—Fueled by overwhelming demand for its services, Western New York Immediate Care is opening its third facility at 3050 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park on July 22, 2008. WNY Immediate Care provides a fast alternative to emergency room visits for patients with non-life- threatening medical emergencies.
The new location provides access to immediate care in the Southtowns. It is also home to Pulse Occupational Medicine. WNY Immediate Care opened a facility in January 2008 at 2099 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst; its first location at 7616 Transit Road in Williamsville opened in 2005. WNY Immediate Care is managed by Exigence, LLC, headquartered in Williamsville.
“The community has embraced WNY Immediate Care,” said Dr. Gregory Daniel, Chief Executive Officer of Exigence. “By providing convenient, quality healthcare by board certified physicians and experienced staff, WNY Immediate Care is meeting a critical demand.” Combined, the facilities expect to provide service to more than 50,000 patients each year. Currently, more than 50 people work at WNY Immediate Care and Pulse.
In most cases, patients at WNY Immediate Care are treated and released in less than one hour. The cost to both the patient and insurance provider is significantly lower than the cost of a visit to an emergency room.
“When primary care physicians are unavailable, we are an alternative to long wait times at emergency rooms. By treating low-acuity patients we help to alleviate overcrowding at local ERs, allowing them to treat the more urgent matters,” said Dr. Joseph Chow, Medical Director of the Orchard Park facility.
WNY Immediate Care facilities offer state-of-the-art treatment rooms, CLIA-certified laboratories, x-ray and diagnostic imaging. “In addition to clinical excellence, patients are impressed by the facilities themselves which are designed to be efficient, comfortable and welcoming. The entire patient experience is of utmost concern to everyone in our organization,” said Dr Daniel.
Western New York Immediate Care is one of only two urgent care centers in New York State to earn the Urgent Care Accreditation Award of Distinction. The Award is the final product of an extensive accreditation process by the Urgent Care Association of America which examines both clinical and operational procedures. The award is granted to urgent care centers that consistently demonstrate the meeting of exceptional quality standards in the daily delivery of care.
Pulse Occupational Medicine has extensive experience helping businesses reduce injuries, lower costs, and promote a safe workplace. Pulse offers customized programs and individual case management support to more than 150 companies, from small start-ups to large corporations with hundreds of employees.
Pulse’s occupational health team includes board-certified physicians and specially trained nurses and technicians who stay current with federal and state workplace safety and workers compensation regulations. Pulse offers a range of customized services including injury care, case management, pre-placement evaluation, drug screening, DOT physicals, Medical Review Officer (MRO) services, executive physicals, educational programs and health and wellness programs.
WNY Immediate Care and Pulse Occupational Medicine are open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The centers are open 365 days a year, including holidays.
For media inquiries, please contact Claire Jones at 716.204.4500 (office) or 716.817.2928 (direct). We also have media-friendly experts who are willing to comment on urgent care medicine and facilities, emergency medicine, hospitalist programs and a host of other healthcare-related issues.
May 2011 Newsletter
Updated Hours
National Women's Health Week
Keys to Living a Long Life
8 Ways to Make Shots Easier For Kids
Healthy Recipe of the Month: Turkey Burger
March 2011 Newsletter
National Nutrition Month
Controlling High Blood Pressure with Diet
The Benefits of Fiber
Parents: Energy Drinks Pose Serious Health Risks for Your Kids
Recipe of the Month: Shepherds Pie
February 2011 Newsletter
Heart Disease Awareness Month
Cost to Treat Heart Disease will Triple in US
Parents: 10 Reasons to Call the Doctor Now
Healthy Recipe of the Month
January 2011 Newsletter
Welcome Dr. Burden!
Flu Shots Still Available
10 Ways to Ease the Common Cold
Sitting Too Long is Bad for Your Health
Recipe of the Month - Apple Butternut Squash Soup
September 2010 Newsletter (.pdf, 209kb)
Vaccines: They’re not just for kids
LAST CHANCE: Win $100 from Immediate Care!
Bullying: Help your child handle a school bully
August 2010 Newsletter (.pdf, 229kb)
Whooping cough: The next epidemic?
Fast food: 5 ways to healthier meals
First aid for tick bites
July 2010 Newsletter (.pdf, 188kb)
Are some sushi dishes lower in calories than others?
Children's swimming: Keep health risks at bay
Expectant fathers: Dads need attention, too
June 2010 Newsletter (.pdf, 209kb)
WNY Immediate Care Events
Allergy treatment tips for patients on a budget
Golf injuries: Why it pays to play it safe
May 2010 Newsletter (.pdf, 147kb)
Rochester Immediate Care Set To Open
WNY Immediate Care At The Buffalo Bills Field House
Tripping Over Pets Sends Thousands to ER
5 Ways to Keep Your Cool When the Mercury Spikes
April 2010 Newsletter (.pdf, 147kb)
Helpful Tips For Runners
Do energy drinks really boost energy?
Is sea salt better for your health?
Tanning beds face new taxes and restrictions
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: The AHRQ has compiled healthcare "report cards" that provide comparative information on the quality of health plans, hospitals, medical groups, individual physicians, nursing homes and other providers of care.
• American Board of Medical Specialties: The A.B.M.S. has a doctor-finder function that reports a physician's board certification.
• American Cancer Society
• American Lung Association
• Health Day News
• Mayo Clinic
• Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
• Men's Health Magazine
• The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Hospital Compare: This site provides information from participating hospitals on how well those hospitals care for patients with certain medical conditions or surgical procedures. Also included are the results from patient surveys on quality of care during hospital stays.
• Web MD
