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UNIVERSITY of ARKANSAS |
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PAT WALKER HEALTH CENTER |
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Upcoming Events Click here to access the U of A's Calendar of Upcoming Events for the PWHC
Announcements*
Posted January 15, 2010
Blood Drive to Be Held Thursday (Feb 18) and Friday (Feb 19) All are invited to participate with the blood drive co-sponsored by the PWHC Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) and the American Red Cross. The event will be held at the Pat Walker Health Center, Classroom 283 on Thursday (Feb 18th) and Friday (Feb 19th) from 10am-4pm. All donors will receive a recognition t-shirt. The need is constant, the gratification is instant.
Posted January 15, 2010
FOR RELEASE: Friday, January 15, 2010
The University of Arkansas Pat Walker Health Center Receives AAAHC Accreditation FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Pat Walker Health Center has achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC/Accreditation Association). Accreditation distinguishes this medical clinic from many other outpatient clinic facilities by providing a safe work environment and the highest quality of care to patients. Status as an accredited organization means the Pat Walker Health Center has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the Accreditation Association. More than 4,500 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC. Not all ambulatory health care organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing the on-site survey are granted accreditation. “We believe our patients deserve the best,” said Mary Alice Serafini, executive director of Pat Walker Health Center. “When you see our certificate of accreditation, you will know that the AAAHC, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has closely examined our facility and procedures. It means that we as an organization care enough about our patients to strive for the highest care possible.” Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by the Accreditation Association’s expert surveyors – volunteer physicians, nurses and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services. “Going through the process challenged us to find better ways to serve our patients, and it is a constant reminder that our first responsibility is to our patients and the quality of care we provide,” said Serafini. “I am particularly proud of the professional and support staff, who demonstrate their commitment and dedication to excellence and the continuous improvement process that brings us to these high standards on a daily basis,” she said. AAAHC accreditation is specifically for organizations that provide diagnostic or medical care on an outpatient basis where an overnight stay would not be required. Among the types of ambulatory health care organizations that can seek AAAHC accreditation are ambulatory and office-based surgery centers, single- and multi-specialty group practices, college health centers, dental group practices, community health centers, occupational health centers and managed care organizations. Pat Walker Health Center has achieved accreditation since 1987 and will remain accredited through Oct. 31, 2012, as a result of the most recent review and survey in fall of 2009. The health center has provided health services to the University of Arkansas community since the late 19th century and is currently housed in the beautiful Pat Walker Health Center, which opened on Garland Avenue in November 2004. Pat Walker Health Center provides primary medical care, women’s health care, counseling and psychological services and health promotion and education for students primarily, but also for faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Charged with maintaining a high level of public health for the campus community, services also include required immunizations, travel immunizations, allergy shots, a clinical laboratory, X-ray services, an on-site pharmacy and a myriad of health education classes, workshops and prevention programs. Pat Walker Health Center staff includes nine physicians with specialties in family practice, emergency care, orthopedics, psychiatry, gynecology and sports medicine. Three nurse practitioners and a nursing staff of 12 round out the medical services. Counseling services are provided by nine mental health clinicians including psychologists, social workers and professional counselors. Three professional health educators provide health promotion and education throughout the campus. In total, the staff is made up of over 60 professional and support staff. All areas of the Pat Walker Health Center are honored to serve as a training site for graduate and undergraduate students as well as physicians and nurse practitioners in training at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and other programs. For more information, call 479-575-4451 or visit the Pat Walker Health Center Web site. The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, founded in 1979, is the leader in ambulatory health care accreditation with more than 4,500 organizations accredited nationwide. The AAAHC accredits a variety of ambulatory health care organizations, including ambulatory surgery centers, office-based surgery centers, endoscopy centers, college student health centers, and large medical and dental practices. The Accreditation Association serves as an advocate for the provision of high quality health care through the development of nationally recognized standards and through its survey and accreditation programs. AAAHC accreditation is recognized as a symbol of quality by third-party payers, medical organizations, liability insurance companies, state and federal agencies and the public.
### Contact: Scott
Flanagin, director of communications and outreach
Posted January 6, 2010 Spring H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Hours (M-Th: 8am-9am; M-F: 4pm-5pm) The Pat Walker Health Center has a good supply and is currently administering the vaccine free of charge to members of the University of Arkansas community (students, staff, faculty, emeritus, and their spouses).
H1N1 vaccination clinics are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Note: There is not an 8am-9am clinic on Fridays.) The vaccine is recommended for everyone as another surge of H1N1 influenza-like illness is anticipated during the next three months.
According to the United States Surgeon General, only one in six people in the United States have had H1N1 illness. That means that five out of six people could still contract the H1N1 virus.
Please remind people that being vaccinated for H1N1 not only means you will not experience the disease but you will also not pass it on to your family members, friends, classmates and colleagues. And, of course, we encourage everyone to continue to practice good respiratory hygiene to prevent both H1N1 and the seasonal flu. Please keep washing hands, protecting others from your coughs and sneezes and stay home if you have a fever and until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Posted December 16, 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available at the Pat Walker Health Center for students, staff, faculty, emeritus, and their spouses. The Pat Walker Health Center has received 2,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine. Free vaccination will be given at the Health Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 16 through Tuesday, December 22. On Wednesday, December 23rd, vaccine will be distributed from 8am to noon. The Pat Walker Health Center will be closed December 24th-January 3rd for winter break.
Distribution will continue when the Pat Walker Health Center opens after winter break on January 4, 2010. Please watch for an updated distribution schedule for times after winter break.
Posted November 4, 2009 Regarding Seasonal Flu Vaccine: As of today, the Pat Walker Health Center has distributed its entire supply of seasonal flu vaccine. The PWHC will not receive any additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine. Please check local media advertisements for possible flu vaccine that may still be available in the community. As for H1N1 vaccine, the Arkansas State Department of Health has not notified the PWHC that H1N1 vaccine will be shipped for distribution on campus. (see Oct 28th posting). Please continue to check this webpage for updates as they arrive.
Posted October 28, 2009 Regarding H1N1 Vaccine: As of October 27, 2009, the Arkansas State Department of Health has not notified the University of Arkansas Pat Walker Health Center that H1N1 vaccine will be shipped for distribution on campus. The health department has not indicated the quantity of vaccine that could be made available at Pat Walker Health Center which has been designated as a distribution site. Please continue to check this webpage for updates as they arrive. Thank you, Mary Alice Serafini, Director, Pat Walker Health Center
Additional resources about pandemic influenza: Learn About Pandemic Influenza and Personal Preparedness Strategies
Posted October 21, 2009 PWHC to close early on October 31, 2009 The Pat Walker Health Center will be open reduced hours of 9:00am – Noon on Saturday, October 31, 2009. PWHC will be closed on Saturday, November 7, 2009.
Posted August 6, 2009 Low Cost Birth Control Available The Pat Walker Health Center Pharmacy has several options of birth control pills for as little as $12 to $20 with a valid prescription from the PWHC Women's Clinic. Please contact the Women's Clinic at 575-4478 to arrange for an appointment to discuss which birth control option may be best for you.
Posted February 20, 2009 2008 NCHA Report...results are in. The National College Health Assessment results for the University of Arkansas have been compiled. To view the summary of the report, click here.
Posted February 6, 2009 The Flu is Here...Over 40 patients treated to date!
The flu has arrived at the University of Arkansas. Pat Walker Health Center has treated over 40 patients for the flu and anticipates this to continue over the next month. Faculty, instructors and teaching assistants are advised that a student with a fever, one of the symptoms of flu, is contagious and should not be in class or a laboratory. For the good of your health and other students’ health, we ask for some flexibility in the classroom to keep students with the flu away from others in the community. Additionally, please do not send a student in this condition to seek medical documentation when direct and considerate communication from the student informs you of their need to be out of class. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Pat Walker Health Center or the Dean of Students Offices.
*Information provided is subject to change. Any questions regarding changes should be addressed by contacting the Pat Walker Health Center (mbratto@uark.edu)
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