Palmetto Health, Doctors Care teaming up at 14 Midlands locations

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A collaboration between Palmetto Health and Doctors Care at 14 existing Doctors Care locations in the Midlands will add to Palmetto Health’s urgent care network while providing Doctors Care patients greater access to Palmetto Health services.

The locations will merge their electronic medical record systems, with Doctors Care assuming operations of the Palmetto Health Urgent Care Center on the Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge campus.

“Our shared goal is to provide patients with the best option for their health care needs, whether that’s one of our urgent care centers, a medical home or a specialist at Palmetto Health,” Dr. Curtis Franke, acting president and chief medical officer of Doctors Care, said in a news release.

The two Columbia-headquartered companies first formed a partnership in 2015, when Doctors Care became a member of the Palmetto Health Quality Collaborative.

The agreement will provide its patients greater access to urgent care, including after hours and on weekends, Palmetto Health said.

“We want to provide our patients with increased access to high-quality, affordable urgent care – when and where they need it,” Palmetto Heath president John Singerling said. “We believe this relationship helps us meet those needs.”

Palmetto Health said increased urgent care services will decrease unnecessary emergency room visits and provide an easier transition to specialty services.

“Our urgent care centers offer patients the utmost convenience, since we don’t require appointments and we’re open nights and weekends,” Franke said. “We also recognize that Palmetto Health provides a level of specialized care that many of our urgent care patients need. This collaboration delivers the best of both worlds.”

Both organizations will launch internal education and external communication plans related to the collaboration, which will begin immediately. Co-branded signage and materials will appear in Doctors Care offices this spring.