04657, Meddybemps, Maine Arthritis Score Hospital Score

The Hospital Score for the Arthritis Score in 04657, Meddybemps, Maine is 57 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

## Arthritis Care in the Downeast: A Review of Hospitals Near ZIP Code 04657

Finding quality healthcare, especially for chronic conditions like arthritis, is paramount. This review examines hospitals near ZIP code 04657 (Milbridge, Maine, and surrounding areas) to assess their capabilities in arthritis diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. Due to the rural nature of the region, access to specialized medical services can be challenging. This review focuses on the most accessible and relevant healthcare options, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses based on publicly available data and information.

**Understanding the Landscape:**

The healthcare landscape in Washington County, Maine, is primarily characterized by smaller, community-focused hospitals and clinics. Residents often travel to larger facilities in Bangor or Portland for specialized care. This review prioritizes the closest hospitals and their ability to manage arthritis-related needs, including pain management, physical therapy, and rheumatology consultations.

**Closest Options: Community Hospitals and Their Offerings**

The closest hospital to Milbridge is **Maine Coast Memorial Hospital** in Ellsworth, approximately a 30-minute drive. While not directly within the 04657 ZIP code, it is a critical access point for the region. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital is part of Northern Light Health, a large integrated health system.

Maine Coast Memorial Hospital has a 3-star CMS rating, indicating average performance across various quality measures. This rating reflects a composite score based on patient experience, safety of care, and effectiveness of care. It's important to note that CMS ratings are just one metric and should be considered alongside other factors.

The hospital offers a range of services relevant to arthritis patients. They have a physical therapy department, which is crucial for managing pain, improving mobility, and preventing further joint damage. The availability of physical therapy is a significant advantage for local residents.

**ER Wait Times and Access:**

Emergency room wait times are a crucial factor, especially for acute arthritis flares. Publicly available data often provides estimates of ER wait times. It is important to check the hospital's website or other public sources for the most up-to-date information. Shorter wait times generally translate to quicker access to pain relief and medical intervention.

**Specialty Care and Rheumatology:**

The availability of rheumatology services is a critical factor in arthritis care. Rheumatologists are specialists in diagnosing and treating arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital may have visiting rheumatologists or offer telehealth consultations. This is a key area to investigate when assessing a hospital's ability to manage arthritis.

**Telehealth and Remote Care:**

Telehealth has become increasingly important, particularly in rural areas. It allows patients to consult with specialists remotely, reducing the need for travel. Maine Coast Memorial Hospital may offer telehealth services for rheumatology consultations, physical therapy follow-ups, or medication management. Checking the hospital's website or contacting their patient services department can provide specific information on telehealth options.

**Other Considerations: Additional Resources**

Beyond the hospital setting, patients should consider other resources for arthritis management. These include:

* **Primary Care Physicians:** Your primary care physician can be the first point of contact for arthritis symptoms. They can provide initial assessments, order tests, and refer you to specialists.
* **Physical Therapists:** Physical therapists play a vital role in managing pain, improving mobility, and developing exercise programs.
* **Support Groups:** Arthritis support groups can provide emotional support, education, and a sense of community. The Arthritis Foundation is a valuable resource for finding local support groups.
* **Pain Management Specialists:** For chronic pain, pain management specialists can offer a range of treatments, including medication, injections, and other therapies.

**Further Afield: Flagship Hospitals and Their Strengths**

For more specialized care, residents of the 04657 area may need to travel to larger hospitals. Two prominent options are:

* **Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) in Bangor:** This is the flagship hospital of Northern Light Health and is approximately a 1-hour drive from Milbridge. EMMC has a 3-star CMS rating. EMMC is likely to have a more robust rheumatology department, offering a wider range of diagnostic and treatment options. They may also have advanced imaging capabilities, such as MRI and CT scans, which are essential for diagnosing and monitoring arthritis. EMMC is likely to have a dedicated pain management center.
* **Maine Medical Center in Portland:** Located about a 3-hour drive from Milbridge, Maine Medical Center is a large, tertiary care center with a 4-star CMS rating. It is affiliated with Tufts University School of Medicine. Maine Medical Center is likely to have a comprehensive rheumatology department with a team of specialists and access to the latest treatments and clinical trials.

**Comparing the Options: Strengths and Weaknesses**

| Hospital | CMS Rating | Proximity to 04657 | Rheumatology Services | ER Wait Times | Telehealth | Key Strengths | Key Weaknesses |
| :----------------------------- | :--------- | :----------------- | :--------------------- | :------------- | :--------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------