Pahoa's New Walk-in Clinic (PCMC)

[Domizio]

Aloha!
On the first of February, we began to quietly respond "Yes" to the question of are we open. Our staff has worked daily (that is 7days/week) to sort out the kinks of our small system and take care of the people of our lower Puna community.
Providing clinical services is really not the problem, it is more a "technology thing"; making the software behave, getting the computers to do what we want them to do. Our focus in on the client, and we are trying to keep all the electronic stuff in the background. I think, for now, we are about 75% successful.

Nonetheless, we are providing services; a bad rash, a bronchitis, a cinder in the eye, an unfortunate spray of cactus juice into someone's eye, passing out after too much sun and not enough water.
We have intentionally not advertised after our big celebration of Jan 11. This allows us to get our wheels rounded off and to develop an efficient rhythm.

People are welcome for a quick tour if we are not busy. The waiting area is small, but mellow. I think the fish tank is soothing. We are slowly working on the decor and having fun with it.

We are open Thursday through Monday for now. It will be seven days in the next week or two.

Thank everyone for their support.
Aloha

[JonP]

How wonderful! Thank you to you and your staff.

[Andrew]

1. What does a visit cost?
2. Do you perform regular check ups?
3. Can you write prescriptions?

TIA,
Andrew

[Domizio]

Aloha!
Puna Comunity Med Center (PCMC) is a walk-in acute care clinic; NOT an Emergency Room, and NOT a full service primary care facility either. We will not be anyone's "PCP". We will address all those problems that pop up; skin infections, a bronchitis, an asthma attack, something got into the eye, a bad scrape or a cut.
As examples, since opening at the start of this month; removed a cinder from a cornea, treated several bad skin infections, treated several asthmatics, and urinary tract infections. We do employment, and school PEs, we prescribe meds. WE DO NOT STOCK OR PROVIDE CHRONIC PAIN MEDS.

Payment; most people have some type of insurance. In those cases, insurance will be billed, and co-pays collected. The clinic takes cash and credit cards. (In the first week, two local checks bounced!
OUCH!) On the other hand, a number people have given donations over and above the visit fees!

For people with no insurance, we have a sliding fee scale for discounting service fees. Ultimately, with grant support and an optimal cash flow, we will have in place a fund for paying for services, including medications, for people with no insurance and no money. Given our population, we expect that that fund will need $200,000 or more annually to provide indigent support.

The long range plans are for a comprehensive health center located in Lower Puna; 24/7 ER, birthing center, dialysis, adult and child day care, training center...the works. For now, we have the tight and tidy 800 Sq Ft PCMC.

[macuu222]

Excellent information! Thank You!

An urgent care facility in Pahoa was desperately needed.

[AlaskaGirl]

can anyone tell me what the hours are and where in Pahoa this is located?

[PaulW]

It's at the shopping center just off H130 - where the Subway is, and the gas station.
On the right.