The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will usher in a new era of unprecedented and convenient access to primary and specialty care services in central Ohio when the first patients are treated at its new state-of-the-art Outpatient Care New Albany on Monday.
Located at the corner of state Route 161 and Hamilton Road in northeast Columbus, the $137.9 million, 251,000-square-foot building is the first of three outpatient care centers that will open as part of the Medical Center’s strategic expansion of outpatient services. The goal is to offer patients high quality care and easy access to Ohio State’s nationally ranked experts right in their own neighborhood.
“The events of the past 17 months have underscored the importance of high-quality, accessible healthcare to improve long-term outcomes, and save lives. Outpatient Care New Albany is an example of Ohio State’s longstanding commitment to improve Ohioans’ lives by sharing our resources and expertise with the communities we serve. We are proud to make our nationally recognized health care more conveniently accessible to our Central Ohio neighbors, right where they live and work,” said Ohio State University President Kristina M. Johnson.
At this location, patients can have multiple appointments with different health care providers, all in the same place — and often on the same day. Patients can take care of all their major health care needs, from prevention to surgery, in just one building.
Experts from 22 different specialties, including cardiology, gastroenterology, primary care, orthopedics, dermatology, physical therapy and more, will diagnose and treat patients on site. More than 350 faculty and staff will provide more than 100 different services here, with the ability to easily refer patients to other specialists at Ohio State if additional care or hospitalization is needed.
In addition, advanced imaging services and diagnostic testing, as well as cancer screening and diagnosis from the experts at The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute will be available. An onsite pharmacy gives patients the opportunity to leave with their medications in hand. The BistrOH café and an outdoor courtyard offer respite for patients, family members and staff.
“At Ohio State, we are reinventing the way academic health care reaches communities by creating innovative, personalized and integrated health care delivery methods to better serve our patients where they work and live. We are investing in full-service, comprehensive health facilities to expand our continuum of care to meet the increased demand for outpatient services. Ohio State Outpatient Care New Albany will help us provide more people with better access to high-quality, highly specialized care,” said Dr. Hal Paz, executive vice president and chancellor for Health Affairs at The Ohio State University and chief executive officer of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
Another important feature at Outpatient Care New Albany is Advanced Immediate Care, a new way to give patients access to emergency medicine specialists — without the cost, wait times or travel to a traditional hospital emergency department. Walk-in health care will be available seven days a week and 12 hours per day for common conditions as well as serious, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries is available — no appointment needed.
“The Advanced Immediate Care offers advanced imaging and lab work and immediate access to specialists who practice at the facility. So you really get a different type of experience than you would receive at an urgent care,” said Dr. L. Arick Forrest, president of Ohio State University Physicians and medical director of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Ambulatory Services. “In addition, our outpatient surgery center here is designed to be very patient-focused. You can get your pre-operative evaluation done here, all of your testing can be done here; even your recovery and post-operative care will be done in the same location.”
Same-day surgery services and outpatient procedures will include colorectal surgery, cosmetic vein treatment, general surgery, gynecological surgery, orthopedic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, urology and vascular surgery.
“We understand that health care has to fit into the busy lives of our patients. With this suburban outpatient care center, along with those we’re building in Dublin and in the future Powell, we’re going beyond the traditional centralized hospital approach to improve patient-centered care, access and reduce patient costs,” said Dan Like, chief administrative officer of Ohio State Ambulatory Services. “By providing immediate, specialized and preventive care in one location in these communities, we can better care for patients close to their home or work.”
Outpatient Care New Albany is located at 6100 N. Hamilton Road. The facility is open Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. For information and scheduling, call 614-814-8100.