SALT LAKE CITY – On September 1st, the University of Utah Health Care Orthopaedic Center became the first provider in the state and one of only a handful of academic medical centers in the nation to open an after-hours, walk-in injury clinic.
The new Orthopaedic Injury Clinic is directed by UOC sports medicine physician Joy English, M.D., and is located at 590 Wakara Way. Patients aged 5 and older who have fractures, strains, sprains, tendon injury or tendonitis, joint problems, or orthopedic injuries that require urgent follow-up will be able to use the services provided by the clinic, even after regular hospital hours. Clinic hours are Monday to Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from noon to 6 p.m. Follow-up care is established at the end of the patient's visit.
The clinic is expected to be a big patient satisfier thanks to low wait times and an office visit co-payment that's less expensive than a trip to the emergency room.
"The concept of these acute care ortho clinics is a new one," said English, 36. "People are starting to realize it's a much better place for them than the ER. Another unique aspect of the clinic is that we can see people who have been to an emergency room or have been referred from another ortho office."
To refer a patient to the Orthopaedic Injury Clinic or for more information, call (801) 587-7109. Patients with concussion, lacerations, chronic injuries or chronic pain should be seen outside of the clinic.