It’s a scenario that is all too familiar to many: your family is facing a medical issue, and it’s happening after your primary care provider’s office has closed. You suspect the illness or injury could rise to the level of needing emergency care, but you’re not quite sure.
You feel the stress mount as you debate in your head whether to visit a nearby urgent care center, or go straight to a local emergency room. Will I be able to park nearby? What if I go to urgent care, but really needed emergency care? Have I wasted precious time?
MidState Medical Center has made that decision simple with expedited medical services placed inside its emergency department (ED).
It’s called Fast Track, and it’s designed so that patients facing the “urgent-care-versus-emergency-room” dilemma may have peace of mind. If their medical problem turns out to easily treatable, they’ll be seen, treated and released quickly, usually in two hours or less.
However, if the medical issue turns out to be more complicated, the ED and inpatient hospital services are also there for you.
Batia Shaffer visited the MidState ED last year, and was triaged to Fast Track. She and her family were impressed.
“We are not used to having such a quick experience in any Emergency Department, especially with having to have x-rays done for this visit,” said Schaffer. “We really appreciate how quickly we were in and out.”
“Fast Track has resulted in us being able to provide a better, more efficient experience for ALL of our ED patients,” said Dr. Alan Weiner, medical director of Emergency Services.
As for parking, MidState has you covered – there’s plenty of easy, free parking for your convenience. And a Dunkin’ Donuts on the premises, too.
The MidState Medical Center Fast Track is open from 9 a.m. to midnight every day at 435 Lewis Avenue, Meriden. For more information, visit here. The MidState Medical Center Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.