Unfortunately, accidents and illnesses can happen even when you’re on vacation or when the doctor’s office is closed. The Quick Care Center at Shore Memorial Hospital is the solution for minor emergency needs, offering convenient medical care for minor injuries that aren’t full blown emergencies but are serious enough to require medical attention.
Located adjacent to Shore Memorial’s Emergency Department, the hospital-based Quick Care Center has eight patient care areas to treat common minor summertime injuries such as sprains, bee stings and fractures.
“We understand that people are hesitant to visit the ER because they believe that their injury isn’t serious enough to be considered an emergency,” says Karen Sharkey, RN, administrative director of Shore Memorial’s Emergency Department. “However, an injury could be more serious than originally thought. Triage nurses will determine if the patient should be treated in the Quick Care Center or if he needs the full resources of the emergency department.”
ER staff uses the Emergency Severity Index, a five-level triage scale to ensure that life-threatening issues are treated first. Triage nurses assess patients’ symptoms, vital signs, medications and medical history. Patients with minor injuries and illnesses, which are rated on the lower end of the triage scale, are sent to the Quick Care Center area to be treated.
Should you need to visit the emergency department, be sure to bring your photo ID, insurance card and a list of medications you are taking, including supplements and vitamins. If you do not have a list handy, bring in the medications themselves or the medication bottles for emergency department staff to see.
“It’s very important be honest with ER staff about any medications you are taking. Even regular, over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin can influence a patient’s condition,” says Sharkey.
In addition to the hospital-based Quick Care Center, Shore Memorial also offers a freestanding Quick Care Center in Egg Harbor Township. Located in Harbor Village Square on the corner of Ocean Heights Avenue and Zion Road, the Egg Harbor Township Quick Care Center is currently treating patients ages six and older. This facility also provides laboratory studies, X-rays and EKG exams.
The hospital-based Quick Care Center is open seven days a week from noon to midnight through September 7. After Labor Day, hours change to 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Co-pays and charges are equivalent to an emergency room visit. For more information call (609) 653-3515.
The freestanding Quick Care Center in Egg Harbor Township is open Tuesday through Friday, with extended hours on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Primary co-pays apply. For more information, call (609) 927-8069.
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