MAY 11, 2015, JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) – Naval Hospital (NH) Jacksonville’s priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation’s heroes and their families. To do so, it consistently strives to make access to health care easy and convenient for its more than 71,000 patients (active duty, retirees and family members from all branches of service) – of which over 40,000 are enrolled at its hospital and Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) Jacksonville.
“Providing our patients with the best health care experience possible is our number one priority,” said Capt. John Le Favour, NH Jacksonville commanding officer. “We are nationally recognized for delivering high-quality care, as well as transforming primary care practices and providing a holistic health care approach that ensures patients receive the right care whenever needed.”
What type of care is available to me and my family?
Patients with a primary care manager (PCM), at the hospital and NBHC Jacksonville, belong to a Medical Home Port team that places the patient at the center of a collaborative team of caregivers – from doctors to case managers.
Highly-skilled health care professionals are ready to deliver urgent, preventive or routine care whenever needed. The hospital Medical Home Port teams provide comprehensive health care to 35,489 enrolled patients at its facility aboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, while NBHC Jacksonville Medical Home Port team provides primary care to 4,631 enrolled patients (active duty only). In addition to its Medical Home Port teams, the hospital offers over 30 clinical specialty services – from pediatrics to radiology – to its patients (by referral).
Convenient extended hours available:
Primary care clinics are open longer to better serve patients and offer appointment times when they need them. At the hospital, Medical Home Port clinic hours (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics) are Monday – Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For patients assigned to NBHC Jacksonville, Medical Home Port clinic hours are Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For urgent and routine care – minor cut, sprain, migraine, earache, rising fever, urinary tract infection or similar symptoms-patients should make an appointment with their PCM by calling the hospital’s appointment line at 904-542-4677 (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.), or NBHC Jacksonville at 904-546-7094/7095 (Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Same-day appointments are put aside every day to ensure patients with urgent care needs are seen when needed.
Sign up for RelayHealth, a free and secure email service that allows patients to contact their care team for routine needs – from requesting lab results to appointments. Because this system is for non-urgent issues, it can take up to one business day for a reply.
24/7 nurse advice:
After-hours, patients can call the Nurse Advice Line at 800-TRICARE (874-2273) for clinical advice 24/7. Registered nurses are available to assess symptoms, assist with self-care, and advise about children’s medical issues. And if needed, staff can also connect patients with the military treatment facility for an urgent care appointment or make an urgent care referral within the TRICARE network.
Those patients experiencing emergent symptoms such as severe bleeding, chest pain, broken bone, inability to breathe, or similar conditions should seek immediate assistance at the nearest emergency room, or call 911. The hospital’s emergency department is open 24/7 and uses the standard “triage” model where patients are seen based on the seriousness of their condition – not order of arrival. Branch health clinics do not operate an emergency room. During outpatient clinic hours, people who arrive at the emergency department for non-emergent care will be escorted to the respective Medical Home Port team for scheduling care.
Medications mailed to your home:
Outpatient pharmacy (located in the hospital’s central tower) is open Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Satellite pharmacy (NAS Jacksonville Exchange parking lot) hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
For NBHC Jacksonville patients, pharmacy hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.
Patients also have the option of signing up for TRICARE’s Pharmacy Home Delivery – for safe, affordable and convenient delivery of prescriptions by way of the U.S. Postal Service. It is the least expensive way to fill prescriptions after military pharmacies, enrollment is free, and refill requests can be made by mail, phone or online. Visit www.tricare.mil/homedelivery or call 877-363-1303 for additional information.
Ancillary services also available at the hospital include: laboratory (e.g., blood and urinalysis), radiology (e.g., CT scan, mammography, MRIs, nuclear medicine and ultrasounds), and physical and occupational therapy.
NH Jacksonville is comprised of the Navy’s third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia.
It has consistently earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for health care quality and safety from the nation’s largest accrediting body for U.S. hospitals. Its Medical Home Port teams have again earned the National Committee for Quality Assurance Level III recognition – highest level – for its patient-centric care.
The hospital is home to one of the Navy’s largest family medicine residency programs – recipient of the 2015 and 2014 Outstanding Achievement in Scholarly Activity award from the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians; 2013 Excellence in Teaching Award; and 2011 Family Medicine Clinical Site of the Year award from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.