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Urgent care bridges the gap between emergency rooms and PCPs

3/28/2018

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(Published by Exponent-Telegram/WVNews. Excerpts provided here.)

Health-care providers are increasing the number of urgent-care facilities in the area in an effort to meet growing demand.
 
The urgent-care component of the health care network of providers has seen exponential growth in recent years.
 
According to a Kalorama Information report on urgent-care centers, spending at urgent-care facilities rose from an average rate from $11.8 billion in 2011 to $15 billion in 2017. This growth is expected to continue through 2021, according to the report.

Community Care of West Virginia is different than other urgent care providers in that their clinics also provide walk-in appointments for primary care, in addition to the care offered for acute medical needs, according to Patricia Collett, director of medical operations.
 
“Our whole premise behind that was to be able to offer healthcare services to not just patients of Community Care on the off-hours of evenings and weekends and holidays, but also to offer those services to patients who did not have a primary-care provider,” Collett said. “Our walk-in clinics are co-located or in close proximity to our chronic-care locations, which gives them the capability to meet our chronic-care providers before they schedule that appointment.”

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Community Care is also partnering with WVU Medicine to add specialty care at its Weston walk-in clinic.
 
“For the Weston outpatient center, WVU Medicine has specialists who can work in the center and provide local access to highly qualified specialists and subspecialists for patients in the community,” United Hospital Center CEO Mike Tillman said. “WVU Medicine is partnering with Community Care of West Virginia in this project and they will provide the urgent care. This facility will combine urgent care, primary care and specialist care all under one roof.”
 
Collett said the model has helped the organization educate patients about the difference between urgent care and primary care and prevention.
 
The American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine attributes this growth to frustration over long wait times in emergency departments and the decreasing availability of appointments with primary- care providers.
 
“The public’s desire for immediate access to medical care has been the driving force behind this monumental growth,” the organization’s website states.
Urgent-care facilities are able to meet this need for fast care for non-life threatening injuries and illnesses.

 
Urgent care also provides services at a lower cost option than a visit to an emergency department.

Urgent-care centers tend to be open on weekends and after normal business hours through the week. No appointment is required at urgent care facilities, meaning a patient can be seen when needed.
 
This convenience, combined with lower costs than emergency department visits, has increased the appeal of urgent care for consumers.

Facilities promote urgent-care centers as both a way of getting faster treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, but also cutting wait times for those in need of the emergency services that are provided in hospital emergency departments.
 
When the recent outbreak of the influenza virus was in full swing, health-care providers had some simple advice for many of those afflicted: Go to urgent care.

Most of all, urgent-care centers seek to provide the appropriate level of patient care in the most efficient way possible.
 
“Health care works best — and most efficiently — when the seriousness of a patient’s condition matches capabilities of the provider or facility the patient uses,” according to the Urgent Care Association of America website.
 
For the full story by Joanne Snoderly, Exponent Telegram, click here.
​​

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Dr. Autumn Lemley and Emily Chalfant, LPN, review patient information in the electronic health record (EHR). Both work at Community Care of Clarksburg, one of CCWV's health centers offering both walk-in acute care and primary care.
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Jonathan Dukich, LPN, completes lab paperwork at Community Care of Clarksburg.

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Community Care of Clarksburg is located at 700 Oakmound Road, near Rose Bud Plaza. For more information about this location, click here.
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CCWV targets opioid epidemic

3/23/2018

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Pictured from left are Dr. Sarah Chouinard, chief medical officer of Community Care of West Virginia; Rob Fleming, Ph.D., director of the Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative at the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services; Lt. Cmdr. Fred Butler Jr., senior advisor for integration and quality at CMS; Greg Wolverton, chief information officer of ARcare; Dr. Paul McGann, chief medical officer for quality improvement at CMS; and Dr. Paul Rosen, medical officer of the Transforming Clinical Practice initiative in the Centers for Clinical Standards and Quality at CMS.
BUCKHANNON — Officials with Community Care of West Virginia recently presented their efforts to combat the opioid epidemic in West Virginia in front of healthcare organizations from around the nation during the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Quality Conference.

Dr. Sarah Chouinard, chief medical officer for Community Care of West Virginia, gave a presentation detailing the healthcare organization’s pain management program during a conference in Baltimore, Maryland, on Feb. 12-14. Nearly 2,500 health professionals met during the conference.

Chouinard’s presentation focused on CCWV’s treatment plans for patients with chronic pain that prevent the misuse and potential addiction to opioids.

“We’re making sure that we can provide effective care to our patients, and that includes working with them to help manage their pain in ways that won’t lead to long-term problems, like addiction,” said Rick Simon, chief executive officer for CCWV.

During the conference, Chouinard outlined CCWV’s program and strategies for how to combat the opioid problem. The model creates a plan for patients with chronic pain and expands education for patients and providers. The CCWV pain management clinic has been in operation since 2012.

“We are thrilled that Dr. Chouinard was able to share this program with our colleagues around the nation,” Simon stated. “The Mountain State is ground zero in the war on opioid abuse, and Community Care of West Virginia is a leader in the fight against it. This program works, and we want everyone to have access to the concept.”

Community Care of West Virginia’s pain management program addresses all of the needs of a patient with chronic pain and develops a care plan accordingly.

Patients in the program are assessed by a behavioral health care professional to determine the risk for addiction. Patients are then educated about the program and must sign an agreement to which they consent to random pill counts, drug screenings and ongoing monitoring through the program. From there, a pain management plan is set, part of which includes how to safely wean off of the prescribed medication once it is no longer needed.

“We are a state-based healthcare provider that was founded locally,” Simon noted. “We are proud of what we have been able to do here for our communities and neighbors.”

To read the story as published in The Intermountain, click here.

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West Virginia seeing decrease in flu cases

3/12/2018

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported flu activity in West Virginia as widespread since the week ending Dec. 23. According to Dr. Mark Povroznik of United Hospital Center, the state’s flu activity was downgraded from widespread to moderate over the last week.

CLARKSBURG — Flu cases have decreased in the state and across the nation, but medical professionals warn that the threat is ongoing.

“West Virginia is no longer considered widespread, which is good, but Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky are still … widespread, so we’re not out of it yet,” said Dr. Mark Povroznik of United Hospital Center.

According to Povroznik, about 21 percent of flu tests given to patients with flu-like symptoms in the nation are coming back positive, compared to about 38 percent at the peak of flu season. That rate is down to 14 percent at UHC, he said.

MedExpress facilities have seen similar trends nationwide, according to Dr. Dena Nader, regional medical director for MedExpress. The provider has seen a 21 percent decrease in cases in its 250 urgent care centers in 19 states. “We have seen the downward turn we’ve been waiting on over the last week,” Povroznik explained.
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Dr. Kara Siford of Community Care of West Virginia cautioned that, although cases have decreased, “we are still seeing quite a few cases.”

According to Povroznik, about 8.5 percent of visits to the emergency room were for influenza-like illness at the peak of the epidemic. That total is at less than 5 percent now.

“Our goal is to get it below 2 percent. It sounds like you’re splitting hairs, but it’s not. When influenza illness accounts for greater than 2 percent, your likelihood for transmission is high. We’re starting to see the decline, but we’re not below that threshold yet that we can say the risk of acquiring it has dropped significantly. But we’re heading there,” Povroznik said.

In two weeks, professionals should have a better grasp of whether the epidemic is going to continue to decline or whether there will be a secondary spike in cases, he said.

A second spike can occur when the community gets complacent, according to Povroznik.

Therefore, it is still imperative for people to practice preventative measures to decrease risk of contracting influenza.

Siford cautioned that it could still be several weeks before flu season is completely over.

“The good habits that you’ve exercised during this epidemic should continue throughout the year and become a preventative habit for you as individuals,” Povroznik said.

“Take preventative actions, like washing your hands frequently and staying away from people who are sick to help stay well this winter. It can also be helpful to wipe down frequently used surfaces, like your cell phone, to avoid the spread of germs. Also, since droplets from coughs and sneezes can travel and live on surfaces for up to 48 hours, it’s important to remember proper cough etiquette,” Nader advised.

“Blow your nose and cough into a tissue — and if a tissue isn’t available, cough and sneeze into your upper arm or sleeve. Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, and turn away from people when you’re coughing or sneezing,” Nader advised.

The vaccine is also still an option for anyone who has not had the flu.

“The dominant strain — H3N2 — tends to make for a more severe disease, particularly among older people and people with underlying illness. That’s why it’s important for everyone, but especially seniors, pregnant women, children and individuals with asthma, diabetes and lung disease to get their flu shot as they are at increased risk for complications from influenza,” Nader said.

It also makes it imperative that those with flu-like symptoms seek medical care at the first sign of symptoms, Siford said.

“The Tamiflu medication that we have, the antiviral medication, is most effective if we can give it within the first 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset. It can be very helpful in reducing the duration of symptoms and the severity of symptoms if we can get that onboard,” she said.

According to Povroznik, the state has yet to release mortality statistics for this flu season.
​

Staff Writer JoAnn Snoderly can be reached at 304-626-1445 or by email at jsnoderly@theet.com.

To read the story with graphics, please visit:
​https://www.wvnews.com/theet/news/west-virginia-seeing-decrease-in-flu-cases/article_dbf68ece-e5b3-57de-a8e7-3cac71f7432a.html

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Community Care of West Virginia

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Rock Cave WV 26234
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CCWV is a Federally Qualified Health Center. Each of its sites is a deemed facility under the Federal Tort Claims Act and is covered by 42 U.S.C. 233. 
  • Patient Resources
    • Appointments
    • Pay Your Bill
    • Good Faith Estimate
    • COVID Information
    • Patient Portal
    • Emergencies & After Hours Call
    • Pre-Visit Check In
    • Accessibility
    • Resources >
      • Braxton County
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      • Harrison County
      • Lewis County
      • Pocahontas County
      • Upshur County
    • Your Medical Home
    • Patient Rights & Responsibilities
    • Important Information for Patients
    • Forms
  • Locations
    • Health Centers >
      • Bridgeport, WV >
        • Behavioral Health (Bridgeport & Weston)
        • Primary Care
      • Buckhannon, WV (Pediatrics)
      • Buckhannon, WV
      • Buckhannon Connections, WV
      • Clarksburg, WV
      • Clay, WV
      • Flatwoods, WV
      • Green Bank, WV
      • Helvetia, WV
      • Ivydale, WV
      • Marlinton, WV
      • Rock Cave, WV
      • West Milford, WV >
        • Primary Care
        • Pain Management
      • Weston, WV
    • Walk-In Centers >
      • Buckhannon, WV
      • Clarksburg, WV
      • Clay, WV
      • Flatwoods, WV
      • Weston, WV
    • School-Based Health Centers >
      • Braxton County
      • Clay County
      • Harrison County
      • Lewis County
      • Pocahontas County
      • Upshur County
      • Davis & Elkins College
      • West Virginia Wesleyan College
      • Information for Parents
    • Pharmacies >
      • Blacksville, WV
      • Buckhannon, WV
      • Clarksburg, WV
      • Clay, WV
      • Green Bank, WV
      • Rock Cave, WV
      • Weston, WV
    • Dental >
      • Green Bank, WV
  • Services
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    • Geriatrics
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