The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), in partnership with Dallas-based Intuitive Health, is bringing a network of freestanding facilities to Arkansas that combine emergency departments and urgent care clinics under one roof.
“Expanding access to high-quality care is central to UAMS’s mission to improve the health of all Arkansans,” said UAMS Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D. “This new model will allow patients to walk in and be seen quickly for needs ranging from colds, sprains, and minor cuts to chest pain, broken bones, and other emergencies, without having to figure out where to go on their own.”
The facilities will be open 24/7, with on-site laboratory services and imaging capabilities such as CT, X-ray, and ultrasound, bringing the speed and convenience of urgent care together with the advanced capabilities of an emergency room.
“We are excited to work with UAMS Health to make immediate care more accessible and patient-centered,” said Thom Herrmann, CEO of Intuitive Health. “These facilities will ensure Arkansans can access the right level of treatment without confusion and pay only for the care they actually need.”
UAMS Health is working with The Boldt Company to develop the facilities, and local permits have been filed for the first location in Little Rock. The development is expected to take between a year to 18 months to complete. UAMS is also considering locations for other facilities, which will be announced at a later date.