Jun 23
SmartCare Family Medical Centers on Friday unexpectedly shut its 15 in-store health clinics located in Wal-Mart stores throughout Colorado.
Wal-Mart had no prior notice, company spokesman William Wertz said.
SmartCare’s public relations agency issued a statement confirming the closures and referred questions to the company’s Texas headquarters, which didn’t return a call.
The in-store clinics treated common medical problems like strep throat and ear infections for a $65 flat fee. The clinics, staffed with nurse practitioners, were open from early morning to late evening seven days a week for walk-in appointments.
Read the rest of this entry »
Jun 23
Take Care Health Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of drugstore operator Walgreens, has announced that it is now administering the shingles vaccine at all 177 Take Care Health clinics located at Walgreens drugstores in 19 markets throughout 14 states.
By administering the shingles vaccine in a convenient setting, Take Care Health providers further extend access to high-quality, affordable and convenient health care to patients across the US, according to Walgreens.
Sandra Ryan, chief nurse practitioner officer for Take Care Health Systems, said: “Roughly 43 million adults are at risk for the disease. For adults over 60 years old, the vaccine can reduce their chance of getting shingles by half. By expanding access to the vaccine, we hope to give more patients the opportunity to get important preventive care.”
Source: redOrbit
Original Publication Date: June 20, 2008
Jun 20
The drug stores and big-box retailers opening in-store clinics should make a choice: Stop selling cigarettes, or shut down the clinics. At least, that’s the position the AMA adopted this week at its big annual policy meeting.
The AMA doesn’t oppose retail clinics, but doctors’ groups in some states have called for tighter regulation of the clinics, which are typically staffed by nurse practitioners. We wondered whether the new AMA policy was a back-door way to slow the growth of the clinics
“In no way is this resolution to get back at them,” William A. Dolan, an orthopedic surgeon on the AMA’s board of trustees, told the Health Blog. “It’s ridiculous that a health deliverer should be dispensing cigarettes.
Read the rest of this entry »
Jun 20
With summer camps just around the corner, MinuteClinic is offering a free “camp starter kit,” complete with sunscreen, hand sanitizing spray, lip balm, a first aid kit, water bottle and disposable camera, all in a ‘backpack-style” drawstring bag to families who bring camp-bound kids in for their physical examinations. There are 16 MinuteClinics in Greater Detroit (see list below). They are all open nights & weekends with no appointment necessary for the convenience of busy families.
To complete the camp physical, MinuteClinic practitioners review the patient’s health history, ensure all necessary immunizations are up to date and provide a brief physical exam to determine if the child is able to safely participate in typical camp activities. At the conclusion of the visit, practitioners give each patient a MinuteClinic camp physical form stating the results of the exam. MinuteClinic will accept cash, personal check or credit card for payment of the camp physical offered at $59.
Source: HOMETOWNlife.com
Original Publication Date: June 19, 2008
Jun 12
Walgreens confirmed it will open three Take Care Health Clinics in Wichita by the end of July, with another two slated to open by the end of the year.
The drugstore giant becomes the first national retailer to bring its in-store, walk-in clinics to the Wichita market, beating out other retailers such as Wal-Mart, Kroger and Target, which are launching similar clinics in other states.
“We are so excited to come into Wichita,” said Diana Graves, Walgreens’ assistant lead nurse practitioner.
“Take Care clinics are about accessibility. Rather than going to the emergency room, or if your physician’s office is full that day… rather than waiting a couple of days when you’re not feeling well.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Recent Comments