ASHLAND, Ky. — The King’s Daughters Family Care Center team in Ironton realizes busy families don’t have time to wait to see their provider, so they’re getting patients back to an exam room immediately upon their arrival.

Called Team Care, this new approach allows patients to:

• see the provider and nurse at the same time;

• privately discuss financial details, if necessary; and

• complete check in and check out information while in an exam room.

The process was implemented in June. The average patient wait time has already decreased by 18 minutes, according to Jessica Blankenship, supervisor of King’s Daughters Family Care centers in Ironton and Burlington.

“Patients don’t have to wait nearly as long in the waiting room, if at all,” said Blankenship. “And, with Team Care they are able to discuss their payment options privately in the exam room rather than out in the lobby where they may be overheard.”

Team Care was developed during a Rapid Improvement Event, a process in which KDMC team members work to improve patient experiences.

Services offered at King’s Daughters Family Care Center – Ironton include: family care, cardiology, diabetes education, X-ray, mammography, MRI and CT scan. The office is located at 912 Park Ave., and can be reached by calling (740) 534-0021.