Catholic Health Ambulatory Care at Centereach provides same-day outpatient services and procedures without requiring hospital admission. The center combines primary care, specialty services, diagnostic imaging, cardiac testing, and planned endoscopy in one convenient location in the middle of Suffolk County.
Patients can use the adjacent Catholic Health Urgent Care at Centereach for immediate treatment of non-emergency illnesses and injuries, while the ambulatory care center provides scheduled medical care, diagnostic testing, specialist consultations, and outpatient procedures. Some locations offer same-day primary care visits, but most services require scheduling an appointment in advance.
What ambulatory care means
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.
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. The most significant advantage of an ambulatory care center is multiple services are offered at one convenient location.
Location and facility
On August 7, 2023, Catholic Health recently opened Catholic Health Ambulatory & Urgent Care at Centereach, bringing exceptional outpatient care services to the middle of Suffolk County. The newly constructed 63,000 square foot multispecialty care center will feature a number of primary and specialty care services, as well as a walk-in urgent care for patients with more immediate care needs.
Designed and constructed from the ground up, 43,000 square-feet of space will immediately be used for primary and specialty care services, eventually building out an additional 20,000 square-feet for future health care services. The new facility is part of a $17 million development project that further strengthens Catholic Health’s goal of making quality health care more convenient for Long Islanders and to support many of the unmet health care needs of the community.
The new center is part of Catholic Health’s growing network of multispecialty care centers, complete with diagnostic imaging, an on-site pharmacy, and a dedicated suite where Catholic Health’s gastroenterologists can perform endoscopy procedures in a safe, comfortable and convenient environment outside the hospital setting.
Primary care
Primary care physicians (PCP) at Catholic Health Ambulatory Care at Centereach help with all your health needs, from annual exams to recommendations for specialized care. Primary care services include:
- Annual exam
- Bloodwork
- Blood pressure screening
- Cholesterol screening
- A1C test (for diabetes screening)
- Immunizations/vaccinations
- Referrals for health and cancer screenings
- Referrals for specialized care
- Management of chronic disease
- Medication prescriptions
Ambulatory care centers may also provide family medicine, treating adults and children, preventive care, vaccination services, reviews of existing medications, prescriptions for new medications, and pre-surgical medical clearance.
Cardiology and heart care
The cardiologists at Catholic Health Ambulatory Care at Centereach use the same advanced technology and procedures that make St. Francis Heart Center Long Island’s most awarded heart program. Cardiology services can support the diagnosis, evaluation, and monitoring of heart conditions through outpatient consultations and cardiac imaging.
Catholic Health cardiac imaging services help cardiologists diagnose heart conditions and monitor patients with heart disease. Our advanced technology helps to detect a heart condition early and with greater accuracy, allowing us to provide the most effective treatments.
Gastroenterology and endoscopy
The gastroenterologists at Catholic Health Ambulatory Care at Centereach are experts in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. If your gastroenterologist recommends a colonoscopy or endoscopy, you can easily schedule one at Centereach.
Our three-room endoscopy suite delivers safe and high-quality care to all patients. The ambulatory care facility also has an endoscopy suite which will be opening soon.
Ambulatory care services include colorectal surgery, including an endoscopy suite, and other minor surgical procedures. Additional surgical services at Centereach include colon and rectal surgery, general surgery, head and neck surgery, and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
What to expect with an upper endoscopy
Full-service medical imaging
Catholic Health Ambulatory Care at Centereach imaging services include:
- MRI
- CT scans
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Echocardiogram (EKG)
- Bone density
- Mammograms
Catholic Health offers comprehensive and convenient radiology and cardiac imaging services at locations across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Our radiology and cardiology experts use advanced imaging technology to provide quick and precise diagnoses, ensuring you can start your treatment plan without delay.
With modern equipment and expert care, you can rest assured you will receive the highest level of imaging services at any Catholic Health imaging location. We use the latest technology to evaluate, screen, and diagnose various health conditions, including those related to neurology, oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, and women’s and men’s health.
CT scans
A CT scan (also called a CAT scan) is a simple, painless imaging test. It uses a series of x-rays to produce clear pictures of organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels. Depending on why your provider has ordered this test, you may be given oral or IV contrast (dye) for more detailed images. These images help to diagnose disease and injuries.
Our CT machines utilize technology that reduces the amount of radiation to the patient by up to 82%. This is especially important for children, young adults, and patients who may need to have these tests performed often.
If your test is ordered with IV contrast, you may need blood work first to check that your kidneys can safely process the contrast. If your test is ordered with oral contrast, you will be given instructions on where to pick it up and when to drink it. If you have allergies to imaging contrast, you may need to take steroids or antihistamines before the test.
During the exam, you will lie flat on a table that will slide into an open, donut-shaped machine. If you need IV contrast you will have an IV placed. The dye may make you feel warm and give you a metallic taste, both of which will fade quickly.
Depending on the type of exam, you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the test. The scan generally takes between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on the type of study your doctor ordered. Some studies may take longer, especially if they require IV contrast.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is a simple imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time pictures or video of organs and blood vessels. While it is often used to help monitor the health and development of a fetus, ultrasound testing is also used to diagnose many diseases and conditions as well as guide certain biopsy procedures.
Ultrasounds do not use ionizing radiation, and there are no known risks associated with this type of testing. You may be asked to change into a gown. During the exam, you will lie flat. Gel will be placed on your skin to help the transducer, or probe, slide across it.
The technologist will apply varying amounts of pressure to obtain images of structures as ordered by your health care provider. The length of the exam depends on the type of ultrasound your doctor ordered, but it generally lasts between 30 to 45 minutes.
Pelvic and OB/GYN exams require your bladder to be full. You will be asked to drink 24 oz. of water one hour before the appointment and refrain from using the restroom until after the exam. Abdominal exams check to see the health of your liver, kidneys, pancreas, aorta, spleen and gallbladder. Patients should not eat or drink anything six to eight hours before their appointment.
MRI, mammography, and bone density
Catholic Health provides a full spectrum of radiology and cardiology imaging, including computed tomography (CAT) scans, cardiac CAT scans, lung cancer screening, echocardiography, interventional radiology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including upright MRI, cardiac MRI, mammography, bone density, nuclear cardiology, nuclear radiology, PET scan, ultrasound, and X-ray and fluoroscopy.
Catholic Health offers advanced imaging for the unique needs of women needing routine health care screenings and follow-up care. Our women's imaging services include 2D mammography, 3D digital tomosynthesis, breast ultrasound, and bone densitometry.
A traditional mammogram takes two images of each breast. Low doses of X-rays look at breast tissue to detect cancers that may be too small for you or your doctor to feel. Bone densitometry, also known as a DEXA scan, is a simple, painless examination that detects signs of osteoporosis or weakened bones.
Cardiac imaging available through Catholic Health
Cardiac imaging services vary by location but may include:
- 3D and transesophageal echocardiography
- Angiogram
- Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA)
- Heart doppler studies
- Cardiac CT
- Cardiac MRI
- Cardiac PET
- Cardioversion
- Chest CT
- Coronary calcium score
- Coronary CTA
- Echocardiography
- Nuclear medicine
- Nuclear SPECT technology
- Stress ECHO
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)
- Vascular testing
- Venous and arterial duplex scanning
Additional specialty services
Catholic Health Ambulatory Care at Centereach offers comprehensive services, including:
- Colon and rectal surgery
- General surgery
- Head and neck surgery
- Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Pain management
- Podiatry
- Pulmonology
- Spine care
- Urogynecology
Ambulatory care centers may also offer chronic disease management and specialty care in allergy and asthma, cardiology, diabetes and endocrinology, ENT, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, pain management, pulmonology, and urology.
Minor surgical procedures can include colorectal surgery, including endoscopy suite procedures, and orthopedic surgery. The availability of individual services may vary by location.
Urgent care next door
Catholic Health Urgent Care at Centereach makes it easy for you and your family to get immediate care for non-emergency illnesses and injuries. No appointment is needed, and walk-ins are welcome.
Urgent care is for immediate care of non-emergency illnesses and injuries. Ambulatory care is not the same as urgent care: most ambulatory care services require appointments, while the adjacent urgent care facility accepts walk-ins for appropriate immediate-care needs.
Examples of acute care needs include minor, non-emergency injuries, colds, and flu. Emergency conditions require emergency medical care rather than an ambulatory care or urgent care visit.
Preparing for diagnostic appointments
When you call to make your appointment, you will be asked about allergies. If there are special instructions, your health care team member will provide those to you at that time.
During imaging visits, you will be asked for your name and date of birth many times. This is to ensure your safety and we thank you for your patience.
Once complete, a board-certified radiologist will interpret, or read, the images and send a report to your health care provider. You should contact your health care provider for the results of your test. You may also access your results in MyChart.
PET/CT examinations
A PET/CT exam is an imaging study that shows your internal tissues and organs, and how well they are working. These exams are usually ordered to diagnose or learn more about a disease, such as cancer, or heart and brain conditions. It is also used to evaluate how well treatments are working.
In alignment with our patient safety initiatives, our PET/CT equipment uses technology that reduces the amount of radiation to the patient, promoting safety without compromising the images. When you call to schedule your appointment, we will provide you with instructions, like following a special diet before the test.
During the scan, you will lie flat on a padded table that will slide into an open, donut-shaped machine. The scan itself generally takes about 10 to 40 minutes, depending on the type of study your doctor ordered. Overall, please plan to be with us for one to two hours.
Once complete, a board-certified radiologist will interpret, or read, the images and send a report to your health care provider. You should contact your health care provider for the results of your test. You may also access your results in MyChart.
Referral to 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. Additional advanced care includes endocrinology (diabetes), neurology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, women’s health, and men’s health.
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.
Access and scheduling
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. 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. The Centereach location offers a streamlined way to access outpatient and specialty health services without the extra travel burden for Suffolk County residents.
We continue to grow to give more Long Islanders access to compassionate, high-quality care.
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