Not long ago, the only treatment options for injuries, illnesses, and other non-life-threatening medical needs were the doctor’s office, or, if the office was closed, the emergency room. Now residents of West Windsor and the surrounding areas have another option: the Infocus Urgent Care facility, located in the Windsor Plaza (formerly Acme) shopping center, next to Aljon’s Pizza.
Run by Dr. Seeta Arjun (pictured), Infocus Urgent Care specializes in emergency medical treatment but also offers a wide range of medical services. For example, physicians at the urgent care center can take x-rays, draw blood and urine samples, suture lacerations, set fractures, run IVs, perform pelvic exams, and more. The center also has a nebulizer, an automatic external defibrillator, a special geriatric room designed specifically for patients with limited mobility, a triage room, and a pediatric room.
“We offer many medical services for people who need urgent, non-life-threatening care, and we also offer many community medical services,” says Dr. Arjun. “For instance, we offer sports physicals for students who play school sports, for $50. No appointment is necessary; we will do these any time we are open. We also do drug testing for employment and other reasons; do check-ups for clearance to return to work; and run blood chemistries to detect strep throat, mono, or the flu. We also offer flu shots and travel vaccines, and we do EKGs as well. For x-rays, we have an onsite digital x-ray machine, so we can do a wet read of an x-ray right away, while the patient is still here. We then have a radiologist review it, fax the results to the primary care physician, and call the patient.”
“And during the month of February we are offering free blood pressure screenings in honor of national heart month,” she adds.
According to Dr. Arjun, the types of medical problems the urgent care facility handles include abrasions, strains, sprains, sore throats, earaches, abscesses, back injuries, work-related injuries, and other non-life threatening emergencies. If, when a patient arrives, she believes the patient’s condition may be life-threatening, that patient will be sent to the emergency room, by ambulance if necessary.
“All of our physicians are trained in emergency medicine. Our clinic is designed for emergency situations that don’t really require a hospital visit. For example, if you think your child has sprained or broken a bone during a sports event, or you think she may have strep throat and your pediatrician is closed, and you really don’t want to go to the ER, our clinic is the answer. We will treat the injury or illness, and then refer you back to your regular doctor or specialist for follow-up care.”
“We are not looking to take the place of your primary care physician. We are not designed for that. We offer a service for people who need to get medical help quickly, but are also looking for a personal touch. I like to say that we offer urgent, concierge, and convenient care without charging concierge care prices.’”
The facility, which is brand new, is approximately 2,000 square feet and has seven examination rooms, including an x-ray room, as well as a nurse’s station. It is designed to be light, friendly, and esthetically pleasing, while being easy to maintain and keep clean. Dr. Arjun even decided to have a glass-free window between the front reception desk and the waiting room to make the patients feel more welcome.
“We want to be a part of the community and want residents to feel comfortable here. Whenever possible, we will refer patients to local physicians and hospitals and will utilize local pharmacies. We want our care to be as convenient as possible, too, so we are installing an electronic medical records (EMR) system so that we can e-prescribe prescriptions to local pharmacies and discharge instructions to physicians.”
The staff currently consists of three x-rays technicians, several nurses, a medical assistant, and three primary physicians: Dr. Robert J. Sidwa (who is Dr. Arjun’s husband); Dr. John Bernard; and Dr. Arjun.
“As we expand in size, we will add more staff,” she says. “I am the doctor who is here most of the time.”
Dr. Arjun received her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her residency at UMDNJ. “Since then, I have worked in emergency medicine for many years, at a number of facilities including Kennedy, Capital Health, and Community Medical Center, where I still do a few rounds. But I really want to focus on urgent care medicine. There is a real need for this type of facility, especially because so much of the medical field is becoming so business-oriented and political. I really feel like I am serving the community by opening this urgent care center.”
While Dr. Arjun currently lives in Washington Township, south of Cherry Hill, she decided that the West Windsor area was the best place to open the urgent care facility. “I wanted the center to be located in a community that really needed one. While there are great hospitals and physicians in this area, there is no convenient urgent care facility anywhere near West Windsor, so I feel like I am filling a community need.”
“Also, I personally really like this area and we are contemplating relocating here. So it makes sense on a personal level, too,” she added.
Infocus Urgent Care center takes all major insurance plans as well as Medicare, and, says Dr. Arjun, will work with patients who do not have insurance or have limited financial means. “We want to make sure that everyone who needs our care can get it. That’s what we are here for.”
Infocus Urgent Care, 64 Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on major holidays. 609-799-7009. www.infocusurgentcare.com.
