NextCare Urgent Care and Centura Health Announce Joint Venture

NextCare Urgent Care and Centura Health to build urgent care centers in Colorado.

Mesa, AZ (PRWEB) March 21, 2005 -- NextCare Urgent Care, the worlds largest privately owned provider of urgent care and occupational medical services has signed a joint venture agreement with Centura Health, Colorados largest health care system to build urgent care centers in the Denver metropolitan area. The joint venture provides a much needed alternative to the Emergency Department for patients who seek, and deserve timely, same-day medical care.

The initial three sites are under development will operate under the name of NextCare Urgent Care and are scheduled to open by the summer of 2005.

Centura and NextCare will both bring their strengths to this venture; Centura brings its strong local presence and clinical reputation while NextCare brings its long history of managing and operating successful urgent cares to this thriving metropolitan community.

The joint venture will allow Centura Health to take advantage of NextCares innovative approach to patient care and expertise in managing multiple urgent care delivery sites. NextCare owns and operates twelve (12) urgent care facilities in Arizona; the thirteenth (13th) to open July of 2005. NextCare recently acquired nine (9) additional urgent care facilities in North Carolina.

Over its 11 year history NextCare has identified, tested and implemented best practices in the delivery of urgent care services. In addition, the company has implemented a management information system for practice management and electronic medical records that is not only improving the business operation, but also enhancing the entire patient experience.

The population of Colorado is growing at such a rapid rate that the number of primary care physicians is not adequate to support the current medical needs. Compounding this problem is the fact that Emergency Departments (ED) are often overcrowded with patients that do not require a high level of intervention. These patients show up in the ED because their primary care physician, if they have one, is often not available on an urgent basis. Urgent Care offers a more cost-effective, convenient solution to this growing problem.

NextCare believes that the partnership with local health care leader Centura Health will create a mutually beneficial relationship while providing a much needed service to the community. NextCares success has been directly related to a focus on excellent customer service, aligned incentives, and a commitment to operational efficiency," states founder and CEO of NextCare Urgent Care, John Shufeldt, MD.

About NextCare Urgent Care NextCare Urgent Care is the worlds largest privately owned provider of urgent care and occupational medical services, known for bringing together service driven health care and innovative medical technology to the delivery of medicine. NextCare operates 21 urgent care facilities between Arizona and North Carolina, providing a wide array of medical services to individuals with non-life threatening medical conditions.

For more information, visit www.nextcare.com or contact KellyAnn Kimble at (480) 283-1740.

About Centura Health
Centura Health operates 12 hospitals, eight senior living residences, medical clinics, and home care and hospice services. A not-for-profit, faith-based organization, Centura provides care and comfort to more than half a million people each year and is Colorados fourth largest private employer with more than 11,000 associates.

For information on Centura Health, visit www.centura.org.

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