BUTLER TWP — Butler Health System this summer will open a new urgent care center at Butler Commons Shopping Center.

FastERcare will be next to the Butler Memorial Hospital Back and Neck Center and a BMH Outpatient Clinic.

Stephanie Roskovski, BHS vice president of outpatient services, said the urgent care center is part of the health system's mission to deliver better services to consumers much like at the surgical center at Benbrook Medical and the one to be built in Saxonburg.

Not only will patients be able to see a doctor for illnesses and minor injuries, but at less cost since visits to FastERcare will be cheaper than those to the hospital's Emergency Department, Roskovski said.

Dr. John Reefer, a primary care physician with Butler Medical Associates, said the urgent care is going to be part of BMH's computerized medical records system.

That means if a FastERcare patient's primary care physician is part of BHS, they will be able to access any records, test results and X-rays done at the urgent care center by computer.

"This will allow us to have better continuity of care for the patient," Reefer said.

Dr. Reginald Reginella, who has been named the FastERcare's medical director, pointed out the clinic is the "next step in patient services that will require a lower co-pay for patients with insurance."

The care center, to be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, will provide convenience for families that face having to miss work or school to see a doctor during regular daytime hours, Reginella said.

Reefer said doctors expect to see patients with colds, fevers, sprains and minor injuries, as well as those who don't have a family doctor and who need basic exams or fitness exams for sports or camp.

"This is not the place for someone having chest pains or stroke symptoms or severe trauma," Reefer said. "Those patients need to go to the Emergency Department at the hospital, and if they arrive at FastERcare, they will have to be transported to the hospital."

The care center will hire doctors and about seven nurses and administrative personnel, Roskovski said.