Hospital Introduces 24/7 Physician Referral & Health Information Service
Frankfort, KY (April 11, 2008) - Frankfort Regional Medical Center's new Consult-A-Nurse' service makes it easier for patients to find a physician and to talk to a nurse for health information. The service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be accessed by calling (877) FRMC-MD1 ((877) 376-2631) or (502) 226-1655. The hospital's CEO Chip Peal says Consult-A-Nurse' is a first-of-its-kind service for Frankfort and surrounding counties.
'Until now, there has not been a designated service people could call to get detailed information regarding physicians that have privileges at Frankfort Regional or to talk to a nurse about health information at any hour. Our old call center provided similar information, but it wasn't available 24/7. Consult-A-Nurse' provides that and more.'
Peal said each year the hospital receives numerous phone calls from people asking for a physician referral. 'Through Consult-A-Nurse', we can provide the physician's name, specialty, address, and phone number. We can even transfer the caller to the physician's office to schedule the appointment. The physician referral is especially helpful for people new to our area, or for those looking to find a new physician closer to work or home.'
Peal says Consult-A-Nurse' fits the hospital's strategy of expanding access to healthcare in the community. 'Research shows that access to healthcare is one of the leading indicators of a healthy community. In the last few months we've opened a new cardiovascular lab and a medical office building ' Frankfort Medical Pavilion. Future expansions to our services include pain medicine and a level II nursery to take care of newborns requiring an extra level of care. I think we're showing our community that we want to continue being a responsible partner in their healthcare.'
Other Consult-A-Nurse' services include health information and event registration for the hospital's community seminars and screenings. Event registration is available 7:00am to 7:00pm on weekdays, and from 7:00am to 3:30pm on weekends.
'We're excited to provide a service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and allows callers to talk to a nurse for free about their or their family's health questions. This will be especially helpful, for example, to the mom whose child wakes up on Saturday morning not feeling well and the physician's office is closed. We will be able to provide information and a list of recommended resources for better health.'
Peal adds, 'Frankfort Regional Medical Center is more than a hospital where patients come for surgery, to have a baby, or to receive outpatient or emergency care. Consult-A-Nurse' allows us to be a partner in our community's preventive care as well.'
Consult-A-Nurse' is available by calling (877) FRMC-MD1 ((877) 376-2631) or (502) 226-1655.