HONESDALE, PA — What’s in a name? Officials at Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers (WMCHC) hope the renaming of the Centers’ seven-day a week, no appointment required clinic, Lake Region Urgent Care, to Lake Region Walk-in Care (LRWI) will result in clarity for patients who utilize services at the 273 Grandview Avenue site in Honesdale.

“It’s important that the community understand changing the name does not alter the scope of care offered,” stated Teresa Lacey, RN, CEO of  WMCHC. “In reality, it is just the opposite.” Lacey explained due to a trend in patients presenting with symptoms requiring a higher level of care -- specifically those which can only be provided by  a hospital Emergency Department (or Emergency Room) -- WMCHC reevaluated the word “urgent” within the facility’s title.

Patient safety and satisfaction were the key factors for rebranding Lake Region. “Anyone experiencing life-threatening symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing needs to report to the nearest emergency room, not a walk-in center,” emphasized Matthew Cellini, MD, medical director, LRWI.  “Patients spending valuable time waiting to be triaged in a facility unequipped to meet their needs is what we want to avoid.”

Lacey also cited billing discrepancies between patients and their insurance companies based on what is perceived as primary care as opposed to urgent care services as another motivator behind LRWI’s new public persona. In addition to updated roadside signage and language on WMCHC’s website  www.wmchc.net, an ad campaign to increase public awareness on “Walk-in Care or Emergency Room?” will be launched.

“The more effort we make to help educate the community regarding the level of care offered at our centers, the greater benefit it will be to our patients,” said Lacey.

 LRWI treats non-life-threatening conditions on a walk-in basis, from 9 am to 7 pm, seven days a week. The center only treats patients age one year and older. Additionally, the last patient will be taken one hour prior to closing instead of 30 minutes as previously. This is to ensure all patients are provided adequate time with a physician or advanced practice provider for evaluation and testing during their visit.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, care is available close to home.  The Emergency Department (ED) at Wayne Memorial Hospital, a clinical affiliate of WMCHC, is a Certified Primary Stroke Center and a Level IV Trauma Center located at 601 Park Street, Honesdale. Wayne Memorial’s ED is open seven-days a week, 24 hours a day.

WMCHC is a federally qualified health center clinically affiliated with Wayne Memorial Health System, Inc. For more information on WMCHC’s services visit www.wmchc.net.