How FastTrackCare Works at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital

FastTrackCare lets you reserve an emergency room arrival time at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital so you can wait at home instead of in the waiting room. You can reserve online, by phone, or by text. The service is for patients who have decided they need emergency care — it does not replace calling 911 for a life-threatening emergency.

What FastTrackCare Does

FastTrackCare is an ER arrival-time reservation system. You tell the hospital you're coming, pick an arrival time, and wait at home until that time to be seen. The hospital describes it as: "Let us know you're coming. Select your emergency room arrival time and wait at home until your time to be seen."

This is a convenience feature for the check-in process, not a triage or diagnosis tool. It does not promise you'll be seen immediately at your reserved time — emergency departments treat patients by medical urgency, so more critical cases are seen first.

How to Reserve Your ER Arrival Time

You have three ways to reserve, according to the hospital:

The hospital also notes you can "Scan the QR code for quick access" if you're viewing the page on a device that can scan it.

Step-by-step (text method)

1. Open your phone's messaging app.
2. Start a new message to (714) 515-7086.
3. Type ER Now and send it.
4. Follow the reply to select your arrival time.
5. Wait at home until your reserved time, then go to the emergency department.

Expected result: You arrive with a reserved time rather than walking in unannounced, which the hospital presents as a way to reduce waiting.

What Happens After You Reserve

• You wait at home until your reserved arrival time.
• You go to the emergency department at that time.
• On arrival, you are checked in through the ER process. Your reservation covers arrival timing, not the medical evaluation itself.

The hospital also offers a MyChart patient portal and an option to opt in to text messages for updates.

When FastTrackCare Is Not the Right Choice

Do not use FastTrackCare for a medical emergency that needs immediate attention. If you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, signs of stroke, or any condition that feels life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately rather than reserving a later time.

FastTrackCare is a scheduling convenience. It does not change how the ER prioritizes patients once you arrive.

Other Services at the Same Location

If your reason for visiting relates to one of these, the hospital lists dedicated programs:

• Emergency care specializing in senior care — the emergency department holds Geriatric Accreditation, recognized for specialized care for older adults.
• Behavioral health services — specializing in geropsychiatry. The hospital notes that when stress becomes too severe for an older person to manage, it often appears as a change in behavior.
• Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement — the hospital participates in the Medicare CJR model for hip and knee replacement care.

Practical Notes

• Phone/text number: (714) 515-7086
• Billing: The site links to a "Pay My Bill" guest payment page and a "Financial Assistance" / price transparency page.
• Community event: The hospital advertises a free community health fair (Thursday, October 2, 4 PM–7 PM) on its site.

If you're unsure whether your situation is an emergency, err toward calling 911 or going directly to the ER. FastTrackCare is best used when you've already decided you need emergency care and want to reduce time spent in the waiting room.