Bringing Urgent Care to the Porterville Community

Porterville, CA l February 06, 2017 – When health issues arise beyond the operating hours of a doctor’s office but don’t warrant a trip to the Emergency Room, the Porterville community no longer has to endure long lines and excessive wait times. Sierra View Medical Center has developed an Urgent Care facility that meets the specific need for acute treatment of non-life threatening illnesses and injuries for surrounding communities.

Now welcoming patients, the SVMC Urgent Care facility is located within the Sierra View Medical Office Building where Radiology and Lab services are offered at 263 Pearson Dr. in Porterville, CA. With such close residence to these services, Urgent Care will be able to deliver diagnoses at a much faster rate.

“Not having to go to the emergency department for a sore throat, ear pain, rash, extremity pain from a sprain or strain, or other non-emergent care issues is beneficial in the sense that patients will be able to be treated in the urgent care setting,” commented Dr. Jeffery Hudson-Covolo, SVMC Vice President for Patient Care Services & Chief Nurse Executive.

The facility’s hours of operation are 4pm-11pm Monday-Friday and 11am-9pm weekends and holidays. These flexible hours and a walk-in service for sudden health changes will create a short waiting environment for patients. In fact, the Urgent Care Association of America reported over 80% of Urgent Care patients wait 15 minutes before evaluation thus allowing patients to receive quick and comfortable care.

“The goal is to be in and out of the urgent care within 60 minutes with thorough evaluation, treatment and discharge,” added Hudson. This will not only be a convenience for patients in the Urgent Care facility, but it will reduce the wait times of the Emergency Department as well by allowing patients with non-life threatening injuries to be treated in the urgent care setting and those patients with life-threatening injuries to be seen and treated in the ER.

The SVMC Urgent Care facility is capable of serving patients with a variety of acute health problems including, but not limited to, minor burns, broken bones, sprains, colds, flu, etc. Though the facility offers a wider range of services than a physician’s office, it is not equipped to administer the same life-saving measures as the Emergency Department.

For an inside look into the operations of the new Urgent Care facility, join Sierra View Medical Center and the Porterville Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on March 7.