The extra–wide hallways canaccommodate two wheelchairspassing side by side. Flat–screentelevisions and eye–catchingartwork in the spacious lobbybathed in natural light offerpatients a welcome environmentin which to rest.
But look past the fresh paintand the smooth faux–woodfloors and there’s much moreto appreciate at WellMed atNorthwest 410, the newlyrelocated clinic that has beendesigned to be the prototype forthe future of senior healthcare.
“We made Northwest 410to be geriatric focused,” saidDr. Carlos Hernandez, chief ofmedical affairs for WellMedMedical Management, whosees patients at the Northwest410 clinic. “We’re very proud ofthis facility because it’s patientfriendly and senior friendly.”
Being senior friendly has beenthe mark of WellMed’s success.WellMed operates more than 30clinics in Greater San Antonio,Austin and along the TreasureCoast of Florida. The diversifiedhealthcare company is one ofthe largest senior healthcareprovider in South Texas,claiming more than 50 percentof the Medicare Advantage(HMO) market as its patients.
Overall, WellMed servesmore than 80,000 patients –with more than 42,000 of themseniors – through its clinics andmore than 100 partner physicianoffices in Texas and Florida.
In February, WellMed atNorthwest 410 moved a fewblocks to its new home at 4438Centerview, a free–standingbuilding with a large parkinglot and state–of–the–art medicalfeatures on the Northwest Side.The clinic is open 8 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday.It closes at noon on the 2ndThursday of the month for stafftraining.
What makes Northwest 410friendly to seniors? The clinicwas designed with maximuminput from Hernandez andDr. Cindy Johnston, WellMedmedical director, who is boardcertified in family practice.
“When we sat down to lookat the design of the clinic, wewanted to update it to meet theneeds of the seniors who arethe bulk of our patient roster,”said Johnston, a member of theclinical faculty at the Universityof Texas Health Science Centerat San Antonio. “One easy–toseeexample is the extra–widehallways. There are designedso wheelchairs can be pushedside by side. No one has topause or move out of the way ifwheelchairs are passing by eachother.”
The clinic also features specialtables in some examinationrooms that lower all the way tothe ground. “There’s no hoppingup on the table for patients withcertain physical limitations,”Hernandez said.
Another difference is thelack of medical equipmenthanging from the walls in theexamination rooms. This makesfor a more comfortable, lessintimidating atmosphere forpatients. Portable equipmentsuch as battery–powered bloodpressure units are wheeled intothe exam rooms as needed.
No–glare lighting overheadmakes it easier for patientswith failing eyesight to see theirsurroundings
Northwest 410 also boasts itsown X–ray lab and an in–clinicpharmacy so patients can avoidmaking a special trip for theseservices. A WellMed podiatristand dermatologist routinelymake rounds at this and otherWellMed clinics – offering moreconvenient access to specialistservices that can take months toschedule in other cases.
One of the most extraordinarydifferences is one that patientsmay never notice: The entireclinic is paperless, lacking amedical records room or storagefacility. All patient medicalrecords are securely storedelectronically, giving physiciansonline access to patient datafrom their home computer ormobile devices, if necessary.
“Northwest 410 has beendesigned to be the clinic thatcan provide patients with themost comfortable and effectivehealthcare environment,”Hernandez said. “It truly fits inwith our vision to change theface of healthcare delivery forseniors.”
