Redesigned experience offers new entrance, online appointments & curbside specimen drop-off
Tom Vana knows quick care when he sees it. As the President of Kurtz Ambulance Services, he spends the better part of his day making sure patients receive prompt attention. So when his doctor, Keith Mulki, MD, ordered routine blood work, he knew that Silver Cross was the place to go.
Photo Caption: Silver Cross Phlebotomist Anna Kupicek draws Tom Vana's blood in the Silver Cross Outpatient Testing Center. Vana was in and out in record time after the facility's redesign.
“I always try to get an early appointment so that I don’t have to wait,” said the 52 year-old New Lenox resident. “I arrived at 8 a.m. and was in and out before my 8:15 a.m. appointment time.
To expedite care, Silver Cross spent the last two years redesigning the outpatient testing experience to better accommodate over 60,000 lab draws, X-rays and cardiac tests performed annually.
Patients are encouraged to schedule their appointments online at www.silvercross.org and receive text alert or email reminders, or they can call (815) 300-7076 with a physician’s order. On the day of the appointment, patients can pull up to the new Outpatient Testing Entrance and utilize the complimentary valet services.
“With an average turnaround of 18 minutes for walk-in lab draws, many patients are finished before their car has time to cool off in the parking lot,” said Adrienne Parkhurst, Director of Outpatient & Guest Services. “And to make it even easier for patients, we also now offer convenient valet parking for patients only needing to get a lab draw or drop-off a specimen.”
Once inside, patients are greeted by a Service Ambassador and just steps away from registration. Within minutes, they are escorted to a private room where their test is performed by trained licensed professionals.
“Anna, my phlebotomist, was wonderful,” said Vana. “She was friendly, efficient and drew my blood on the first try.”
The Silver Cross Outpatient Testing Center consistently ranks in the top 10% in the nation for patient satisfaction according to Press Ganey and NRC Health Solutions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) also awarded Silver Cross 5 Stars – the highest honor for its dedication to safety, quality and patient experience. At www.Medicare.gov , consumers can compare hospitals across 7 categories including mortality, readmission, safety of care, patient experience, efficient use of medical imaging, and timeliness and effectiveness of care.
“We know that our patient’s time is valuable, so we redesigned the outpatient testing experience around their needs and expectations,” said Parkhurst. “Our goal is to get patients in and out quickly and safely.”
For more information about lab and imaging services at Silver Cross Hospital, visit www.silvercross.org. To schedule an appointment, use SCHedule Now or call (815) 300-7076. A physician’s order is required for most tests and screenings.