MUNSTER | Community Healthcare System’s new Immediate Care Center has opened its doors at 10240 Calumet Ave. to meet the demand for medical care in Northwest Indiana.
The 32,000-square-foot, two-story structure, located just a few blocks south of Community Hospital’s Fitness Pointe, also houses a state-of-the-art Occupational Health Clinic and soon-to-open physician offices.
Getting sick is never convenient, but when patients need care now, medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses is available through the Immediate Care Centers of Community Healthcare System. The system offers locations throughout Lake and Porter counties and accepts patients on a walk-in basis. Patients can pick a location, check short wait times and notify staff they are on the way by visiting COMHS.org/onmyway.
Patients frequently seek the services of a hospital emergency department for ailments or injuries that could be treated more economically and just as effectively at an immediate care center or doctor’s office. Unless it is an emergency, it is best to first seek the advice and services of a primary care provider. If patients cannot see their primary care provider right away or they do not have one, one of Community Healthcare System’s Immediate Care Centers is a great option.
Ailments or injuries patients can be treated for at an immediate care center include:
- Abscess
- Allergic reactions - minor (no difficulty breathing)
- Animal bites - minor
- Breast tenderness
- Broken bones - minor
- Cellulitis (skin infection)
- Cold/sore throat
- Cough/congestion
- Eye infection or earache
- Facial irritation
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Mild asthma
- Minor burns
- Muscular back pain
- Puncture wounds
- Rash or other skin irritations
- Sprains and strains
- Urinary discomfort
- Wound checks
The new building also is home to Community Healthcare System’s Occupational Health Clinic, which is designed to keep workers well and build a healthy business climate, said Director of Operations Rick Weber.
“Workers often will go to immediate care for treatment of their workers’ compensation injuries because their employer may not be aware of occupational medicine-specific services,” Weber said. “Having this clinic, with its own waiting area, in the Immediate Care Center will allow us to better identify those patients so they’re able to receive specialized care. This convenient, efficient and effective healthcare process ensures better outcomes for the patient and the employer.”
Weber hopes this new location will help raise awareness of Community Healthcare System’s Occupational Health services, which include work-related injury care, respirator clearance exams, flu vaccinations, X-ray services, physical therapy, fit-for-duty evaluations, wellness programs and more.
Physician offices for pediatrics, ENT and family medicine also will be conveniently located at this new Munster center and are expected to open this spring.
“We serve a significant number of patients from Munster and our surrounding neighborhoods, and this new Immediate Care Center with our Occupational Health Clinic and physician offices brings together quality services in another convenient location,” said Alan Kumar, MD, chief operating officer of Community Healthcare System. “Our main objective as a healthcare leader is to provide exceptional, readily accessible medical care to the communities we serve.”
