January 13, 2006, Mesa, Ariz. –  With a reported 1400 confirmed cases in Arizona this week alone, the flu is back with a vengeance crowding local emergency rooms.  Patients seeking relief from symptoms of sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches and fever have an alternative, NextCare Urgent Care.   With 12 urgent care centers in Maricopa County, NextCare is available to valley residents seeking timely, quality healthcare every day of the year.          

If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, NextCare physicians are available for treament with no appointment necessary at all valley locations.  The benefit to using urgent care is  avoiding the current 8 - 10 hour wait times reported in the local emergency rooms.

“With the recent press regarding the crisis in our emergency departments, urgent care represents a solid and prudent alternative for members of our community needing same day care for non-emergent conditions,” said John Shufeldt, MD, CEO of NextCare. 

NextCare had experienced a dramatic increase in the typical December patient volume, but is seeing some relief in the number of flu patients, drastically reducing wait times.  A welcomed service offered by NextCare is centralized scheduling, directing patients to the location with the shortest wait time.  Additionally, some clinics have resumed offering no-wait appointments now that volume has eased to more normal levels.

In an effort to provide timely care and relieve the overcrowded ER’s, NextCare has responded by adding additional physicians and staff to accommodate the crisis.  “Our physicians really stepped up to the plate and are working extended hours to serve the needs of our community, said John Shufeldt, MD, CEO of NextCare.

For those patients seeking to avoid the flu, it’s not too late to get your flu shot.  NextCare still has limited quantities of the vaccine available and suggests that people at high risk for complications of influenza to stop by their local clinic and get immunized.  It is recommended to call ahead to verify availability.  No appointments are necessary for flu shots or any other service.  The centers are open seven days a week, 8a.m. to 8p.m. weekdays and 8a.m. to 4p.m. weekends.  NextCare’s location at 32nd Street and Greenway offers extended weekend hours until 6 p.m.

About NextCare Urgent Care
NextCare Urgent Care is the world’s 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 24 urgent care facilities among Arizona, Colorado and North Carolina, with two additional locations scheduled to open winter of 2006.

For more information about NextCare and its services, please contact:
Kelly Kimble, at 1-800-NEXTCARE