Sarah Stitely, representing Lexington Medical Center’s Urgent Care network, delivered an insightful presentation to the members of the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo on December 8.
Stitely provided an overview of LMC’s Urgent Care, which currently operates in five locations, with a sixth facility in Cayce set to open its doors on January 9. The existing centers are strategically positioned in two locations in Lexington and one each in Irmo, Chapin, and Northeast Columbia.
Emphasizing the network’s objectives, Stitely highlighted goals of ensuring a fast response to incoming traffic, expediting diagnosis, and maintaining excellence in treatment. In 2023, LMC’s five centers witnessed approximately 185,000 patient visits, reflecting a 15 percent increase from the previous year. With the anticipated opening of the Cayce location in early 2024, projections for the upcoming year exceed 200,000 visits, marking substantial growth compared to the 2020 comparative figure of about 100,000 visits.
Stitely discussed the positive impact of the My Chart online app, which has significantly reduced registration time. The app’s “On My Way” feature facilitates pre-registration, streamlining the process for patients upon arrival.
Beyond volume metrics, Stitely shared patient experience improvements, particularly in heart-related issues. The average time from entering the facility to having an EKG has decreased to nine minutes. The average time for entry-to-catheterization, previously set at 90 minutes, now stands at an impressive 54 minutes. The overall average stay, encompassing all visit types, is 93 minutes.
Additionally, the Irmo location will host a smoking cessation program named “Freedom from Smoking” from January 2 to February 20. Conducted every Tuesday during this period from 6 pm to 8 pm, the program boasts a quit rate of 58 percent, surpassing the national average.
With goals met and exceeded, Stitely highlighted that 95 percent of post-treatment patient surveys report positive experiences.
Photo: The event featured Speaker Coordinator Steve Odom and Past Club President Larry Blosser, with Sarah Stitely receiving a copy of the Optimist Creed.
