UAMS To Open 24-Hour Hybrid Care Facility In West Little Rock

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is constructing a combined emergency department and urgent care clinic in west Little Rock. The new facility will operate around the clock and serve as the first of several potential sites in the metro area.

Harrison Reed, chief administrative officer at UAMS Health, stated that the building will be located at 16800 Chenal Parkway near Kirk Road. He estimated the project cost at approximately $10 million. Construction is expected to take between one and eighteen months.

The facility will cover 11,000 to 12,000 square feet. It will be led by physicians and equipped with on-site laboratory services. Imaging capabilities will include CT scans, x-rays, and ultrasound.

Patients will enter through a single point and undergo triage. Billing will be determined by an algorithm that assesses the level of care required. Reed said this approach removes the need for patients to self-triage their own conditions.

UAMS is managing the facility through a partnership with Intuitive Health, a Dallas-based company. Intuitive has provided similar services to academic medical facilities including OU Health, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Florida. Boldt, a Wisconsin-based contractor, is building the structure.

Reed explained that the model addresses nationwide emergency department overcrowding. He noted that some patients who begin at urgent care facilities are later escalated to emergency rooms. By housing both services under one roof, the university aims to simplify the process for patients and employers.

UAMS retains all clinical authority, billing rights, and the brand name for the facility. The management agreement with Intuitive Health is based on performance metrics related to patient experience quality. Reed said the university is considering other locations within 30 to 40 minutes of the main campus if the initial site succeeds.