What Is an Ambulatory Care Center?

Catholic Health Ambulatory & Urgent Care at Centereach

Q. What is an ambulatory care center?

You may have seen a Catholic Health Ambulatory Care Center in your neighborhood, but what exactly is an ambulatory care center?

Ambulatory care refers to same-day outpatient services and procedures that do not require a hospital setting or admission. You may hear the terms “ambulatory care” and “outpatient care”—both refer to the care you will find at an ambulatory care center.

Catholic Health makes it easy and convenient for Long Islanders to find the highest level of health care with our ambulatory care centers in Nassau County and Suffolk County.

For example, you make an appointment with a primary care physician (PCP) for your annual exam. As part of that yearly exam, you need routine bloodwork, which can be done at the ambulatory center on the same day. If you need a health screening like a colonoscopy or mammogram, you can schedule those appointments at the ambulatory care center. One location for all your health care needs—that is the convenience of an ambulatory care center.

Q. What services are offered at an ambulatory care center?

Catholic Health ambulatory care centers offer several types of care. Not all services are provided at each location.

Preventive care

Family medicine (treating adults and children)
Annual exam
Blood draw
Vaccinations
Reviewing existing medications or prescribing new medications
Pre-surgical medical clearance

Acute care

Minor, non-emergency injuries
Cold
Flu

Diagnostic services

X-Ray
MRI
CT scan
Ultrasound
Mammogram
Bone density
Echocardiogram

Chronic disease management

Allergy & Asthma
Cardiology
Diabetes & Endocrinology
ENT
Gastroenterology
Nephrology
Neurology
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Pain management
Pulmonology
Urology

Minor surgical procedures

Colorectal surgery (including endoscopy suite)
Orthopedic surgery

Q. What is the advantage of an ambulatory care center?

The most significant advantage of an ambulatory care center is multiple services are offered at one convenient location. With Catholic Health Ambulatory Care across Long Island, you do not have to travel far for that convenience. That is especially helpful if you need same-day surgery or require follow-up care.

Q. What if I need more advanced care?

One of the great benefits of Catholic Health Ambulatory Care is we can refer you to our experts across Long Island if you need further evaluation or treatment.

For example, if you need advanced cardiac care, we can refer you to our cardiology experts at St. Francis Heart Center, Long Island's most-awarded heart program. For cancer care, Catholic Health Cancer Institute has locations in Nassau and Suffolk counties for advanced diagnosis and treatment.

Or, if you need physical therapy, you can be referred to Catholic Health Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Long Islander's leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Additional advanced care includes endocrinology (diabetes), neurology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, women’s health, and men’s health.

Q. Is ambulatory care the same as urgent care?

No, urgent care is for immediate care of non-emergency illnesses and injuries.

Find care at Catholic Health urgent care centers.

Q. Do I need an appointment for an ambulatory care visit?

Some locations offer same-day primary care visits, but most services require scheduling an appointment in advance.

Q. Where can I find care?

Get more information about each of our locations and make your appointment today.