Q&A: South Jersey clinic first in area to provide immediate women’s health care
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A clinic providing around-the-clock women’s health care has opened its doors to the southern region of New Jersey, making it the first of its kind in the area.
Axia Women’s Health recently opened its AccessNow clinic to address accessibility and affordability issues that prevent patients from seeking and receiving women-specific health care.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, similar clinics have cropped up around the United States. However, there is still a need for urgent care facilities that cater to women, which has been highlighted by COVID-19 pandemic-imposed barriers to health care.
Healio spoke with Leisa O’Flynn, DO, vice president of medical affairs for Axia Women’s Health — Southern New Jersey, to learn more about the AccessNow clinic.
Healio: When was this clinic started?
O’Flynn: AccessNow, the first clinic of its kind to open in South Jersey, started welcoming patients on March 21. We are thrilled by the positive feedback we have received so far from the community! It’s clear we are providing a service that women really wanted and needed.
Healio: What makes this clinic unique?
O’Flynn: Our AccessNow clinic is unique for several reasons. First, it is fully dedicated to women’s health. We provide a full suite of OB/GYN services to address some of the most common urgent women’s health care needs, ranging from vaginal disorders to urinary problems including urinary tract infection (UTI) testing and treatment, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, as well as pregnancy testing, on-site ultrasounds and more. Another unique benefit is the accessibility. We offer walk-in, same-day, evening and weekend care to make it convenient for women to seek care when they need it. We also accept most insurances, as well as Medicaid plans, to help make care more affordable.
Patients do not have to be an Axia patient to visit AccessNow. However, there are benefits for Axia patients who visit AccessNow. As an Axia patient, your provider will be able to access your existing medical records through our centralized electronic medical record system, providing a more connected care experience.
Healio: How does the clinic fill needs in women's health care?
O’Flynn: At Axia Women’s Health, it is our mission to lead the way in improving women’s health. We are excited to further our mission through the opening of AccessNow.
We know women are often so busy juggling careers, home lives and caring for others that their own care can sometimes be put on the back burner. We wanted to create a space tailored to women that enables them to prioritize their health by making it easy for them to access care when they need it.
We know that two of the most common barriers to care for women are access and cost. By accepting most insurances, including Medicaid plans, and offering walk-in, evening and weekend care, we are helping make care more affordable and convenient, especially for women who may have been underserved before. AccessNow can be used by women who may not have a primary women’s health provider, or who have a preferred OB/GYN who is unavailable to provide immediate care.
Healio: What services does the clinic provide?
O’Flynn: AccessNow offers care for a wide range of OB/GYN needs including:
- abnormal bleeding and menstruation problems;
- contraception counseling;
- pregnancy confirmation/testing;
- prenatal nonstress tests;
- STD/STI testing and treatment;
- ultrasounds;
- colposcopies;
- urinary problems/UTI testing and treatment;
- vaginal disorders; and
- well-woman care.
We also offer flu A and B and strep A testing, as part of our approach to comprehensive care.
Healio: Are there plans to expand these types of walk-in services to other Axia locations?
O’Flynn: Right now, our focus is on serving women in this location, and we are so pleased to see the positive response we have received from the community. As we continue to expand within our current states — Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey — and to new markets, it is possible we may open similar clinics in other regions.
To learn more about our offerings or to make an appointment, women can visit our website, or of course, just walk in!
Reference:
- Urgent-care OB-GYN clinics for women offer an alternative to waits for appointments, ER visit. https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2021/4/19/22388259/urgent-care-obgyn-clinics-gynecology-womens-health. Published April 19, 2021. Accessed April 7, 2022.