OSF Healthcare’s first Bloomington-Normal Urgo retail clinic allows patients to add an urgent care-style visit to their list of errands.
The facility at Greenbriar Drive and Veterans Parkway in Normal had its blessing ceremony Wednesday.
Urgo promises to provide quality, fast care for on-the-go patients.
OSF Vice President of Advanced Practice Melinda Cooling said Urgo is similar to Prompt Care, but that this is OSF’s first Bloomington-Normal retail clinic. Retail clinics offer services to patients in what are typically shopping environments.
“That’s exactly where we want our Urgo locations,” Cooling said. “Where our patients are out doing their work and their shopping and making it easy and convenient for them to access urgent care when they need it.”
Urgo staff will primarily care for minor illnesses and injuries.
There will be one advanced practice provider and between three and four care guides working in the facility, Cooling said. Care guides include certified medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, and a radiology technologist.
Cooling said Urgo will be an asset to patients who don’t have or want a primary care physician.
“Urgo was really developed because we know that our patients don’t always desire that relationship, or long-term relationship, with a primary care provider, and so we’re providing that access for them,” Cooling said. “If they wish to have that kind of relationship, we’ll definitely make that connection for them.”
Urgo is also connected to OSF's health care system and has access to patient medical history, previous visits, and prescriptions on file, Cooling said.
Younger patients may not require constant primary physician care, Cooling said, and Urgo will provide in-the-moment service for the Twin City college student population.
Urgo is equipped with an X-ray room, minor procedure room for small lacerations, and a drug test-friendly bathroom with the ability to shut off water flow and no permanent soap fixture.
OSF said clients will experience faster service with the ability to provide co-pay and sign waivers within patient rooms rather than adding a check out step.
Urgo also has space for OSF staff to train locally, rather than have to travel to Peoria.
The facility will open to patients on Tuesday. Urgo is open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to both walk-ins and patients by appointment.
Two more Bloomington-Normal OSF Urgo facilities will open in the coming years in similar retail locations.
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