Content about Clinic

December 5, 2011

Since the inception of retail-based health clinics in 2000, the concept has grown to more than 1,300 locations throughout the United States. The real question now: Are we on the brink of clinics version 2.0?


Since the inception of retail-based health clinics in 2000, the concept has grown to more than 1,300 locations throughout the United States and, in more recent months, has celebrated several significant milestones that prove clinics are not only an integral part of the U.S. healthcare system but also are a viable model for retailers when handled correctly. The real question now: Are we on the brink of clinics version 2.0?


November 29, 2011

Walgreens' chief medical officer Cheryl Pegus delivered a keynote session Tuesday at the National Conference of State Legislatures Fall Forum in Tampa, Fla., to outline innovative approaches in health care today, and shared how Walgreens complements these new models.

TAMPA, Fla. — Walgreens' chief medical officer Cheryl Pegus delivered a keynote session Tuesday at the National Conference of State Legislatures Fall Forum here. The presentation, titled “Expanding Access to Care for Women and Exploring Health Delivery Models,” outlined the innovative approaches in health care today, and shared how Walgreens complements these new models.

November 28, 2011

In recent months there have been a string of key milestones within the convenient care industry, and now the new Rand Corp. study indicates that clinic usage climbed tenfold between 2007 and 2009 — impressive growth and a clear message that retail-based health clinics are a significant player within the U.S. healthcare system.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — In recent months there have been a string of key milestones within the convenient care industry, and now the new Rand Corp. study indicates that clinic usage climbed tenfold between 2007 and 2009 — impressive growth and a clear message that retail-based health clinics are a significant player within the U.S. healthcare system.

November 22, 2011

The use of retail-based health clinics increased tenfold between 2007 and 2009, and, if the trends continue, health plans can expect to see a dramatic boost in retail clinic utilization, based on the findings of a new Rand Corp. study.

NEW YORK — The use of retail-based health clinics increased tenfold between 2007 and 2009, and, if the trends continue, health plans can expect to see a dramatic boost in retail clinic utilization, based on the findings of a new Rand Corp. study.

“It is clear that enrollees are ‘voting with their feet’ and that retail clinics are meeting an unmet need for simple acute care and/or addressing a shortage of traditional healthcare providers,” according to the American Journal of Managed Care, which published the study.

November 18, 2011

The convenient care industry continues to hit noteworthy milestones as it grows and becomes an increasingly important player within the U.S. healthcare system. And now the fellowship of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia has elected its first nurse practitioner to its ranks.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The convenient care industry continues to hit noteworthy milestones as it grows and becomes an increasingly important player within the U.S. healthcare system. And now the fellowship of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia has elected its first nurse practitioner to its ranks: Sandy Ryan, chief nurse practitioner officer for Walgreens’ Take Care Health Systems.

November 14, 2011

The recently released report by Kalorama Information indicating that retail-based health clinics are a viable business for retailers — if managed correctly — further underscores the importance of the convenient care industry, and comes just as a separate study highlighted the value of employer-based on-site health clinics.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The recently released report by Kalorama Information indicating that retail-based health clinics are a viable business for retailers — if managed correctly — further underscores the importance of the convenient care industry, and comes just as a separate study highlighted the value of employer-based on-site health clinics.

November 11, 2011

Retail-based health clinics represent a viable business for retailers who locate and correctly manage them, according to Kalorama Information.

NEW YORK — Retail-based health clinics represent a viable business for retailers who locate and correctly manage them, according to Kalorama Information.

The healthcare market research publisher, which is a division of MarketResearch.com, made its assessment based on the recent news that Walmart may dramatically expand its retail clinics offering.

November 10, 2011

With the cost of employee healthcare benefits on the rise, public employers are under increased pressure to contain costs while also providing benefits that help them maintain a healthy work force and attract the best employees. One solution to consider: on-site health clinics, according to a recently released study.

NEW YORK — With the cost of employee healthcare benefits on the rise, public employers are under increased pressure to contain costs while also providing benefits that help them maintain a healthy work force and attract the best employees. One solution to consider: on-site health clinics, according to a recently released study.

November 9, 2011

According to a request for information released Tuesday and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — According to a request for information released Tuesday and reported by Kaiser Health News, Walmart is in the process of piecing together a comprehensive low-cost primary care healthcare platform.

However, Walmart later denied this report in a statement released to the public on Wednesday. "The RFI statement of intent is overwritten and incorrect. We are not building a national, integrated, low-cost primary care healthcare platform," stated John Agwunobi, SVP and president of Walmart U.S. health and wellness.

November 4, 2011

One very quiet bit of news worthy of a bit more attention: MinuteClinic is up to 645 clinics. Clinic revenues were up more than 15% during the quarter, and the company expects MinuteClinic will break even as planned by the end of the year. That's important because the third quarter isn't exactly a big cold-and-flu month, which means that patients are starting to use clinics for more than just sick care. Third quarter is back to school, which suggests the clinics likely were busier doing other things, such as vaccinations and physicals.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — One very quiet bit of news worthy of a bit more attention: MinuteClinic is up to 645 clinics. Clinic revenues were up more than 15% during the quarter, and the company expects MinuteClinic will break even as planned by the end of the year. That's important because the third quarter isn't exactly a big cold-and-flu month, which means that patients are starting to use clinics for more than just sick care. Third quarter is back to school, which suggests the clinics likely were busier doing other things, such as vaccinations and physicals.

November 4, 2011

No matter the shape healthcare reform takes in the United States, the retail clinic industry will be a crucial cog. Today, healthcare reform means 33 million additional Americans with coverage, most likely split between Medicaid and low-cost providers. That will create a significant demand for cost-efficient solutions like retail clinics. 


PHILADELPHIA — No matter the shape healthcare reform takes in the United States, the retail clinic industry will be a crucial cog. Today, healthcare reform means 33 million additional Americans with coverage, most likely split between Medicaid and low-cost providers. That will create a significant demand for cost-efficient solutions like retail clinics. 


October 28, 2011

The news that Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner Penny Strong has been honored by the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing is important as it further promotes and supports the convenient care industry at large.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The news that Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner Penny Strong has been honored by the Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing is important as it further promotes and supports the convenient care industry at large.

(THE NEWS: Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing honors Take Care Clinic NP Penny Strong. For the full story, click here)

October 19, 2011

The School of Pharmacy at the University of Southern California announced on Wednesday that it will double its presence in clinics and medical homes that deliver healthcare services to the uninsured, the poor and the homeless.

LOS ANGELES — The School of Pharmacy at the University of Southern California announced on Wednesday that it will double its presence in clinics and medical homes that deliver healthcare services to the uninsured, the poor and the homeless.

The school began providing clinical pharmacy services in safety-net clinics in 2002 and currently is a key partner with 12 such clinics in Southern California. The new USC Medication Therapy and Safety Initiative aims to increase the school's coverage to 24 clinics and medical homes by 2013.

October 4, 2011

MinuteClinic continues to expand its reach by opening two walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in the Savannah, Ga., market.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic continues to expand its reach by opening two walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy stores in the Savannah, Ga., market.

The clinics, located in Savannah and Richmond Hill, are the first retail medical clinics to open in the region and join 31 other MinuteClinic locations in Georgia situated throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area.

The openings are part of MinuteClinic's goal to open 100 walk-in clinics nationwide this year.

September 15, 2011

Rite Aid is teaming up with OptumHealth to become the first to provide "virtual clinics" in a retail pharmacy setting.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid is teaming up with OptumHealth to become the first to provide "virtual clinics" in a retail pharmacy setting.

Rite Aid announced Thursday the launch of NowClinic online care services at select Rite Aid stores in the Detroit area. NowClinic allows Rite Aid customers to interact in real time with doctors and OptumHealth nurses.

September 9, 2011

The release of the “2010 Census Report and Salary Report,” which indicated that the number of practicing physician assistants has tripled in the past 10 years is important to note, especially as the convenient care clinic model continues to expand.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — The release of the “2010 Census Report and Salary Report,” which indicated that the number of practicing physician assistants has tripled in the past 10 years is important to note, especially as the convenient care clinic model continues to expand.

(THE NEWS: Study: Physician assistant workforce reaches record high. For the full story, click here)

September 9, 2011

"The axis of the healthcare system is shifting toward more accessible and collaborative models,” and both pharmacists and nurse practitioners are “well-positioned to have a substantial impact in a post-reform environment.” That was a key message that Walgreens chief medical officer Cheryl Pegus had for attendees of Forum 11, the annual meeting of the Care Continuum Alliance in San Francisco on Friday.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — "The axis of the healthcare system is shifting toward more accessible and collaborative models,” and both pharmacists and nurse practitioners are “well-positioned to have a substantial impact in a post-reform environment.” That was a key message that Walgreens chief medical officer Cheryl Pegus had for attendees of Forum 11, the annual meeting of the Care Continuum Alliance in San Francisco on Friday.

September 7, 2011

Hannibal Regional Medical Group has announced that on Sept. 13 it will open its first “The Clinic at Walmart” inside a Walmart in Hannibal, Mo.

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal Regional Medical Group has announced that on Sept. 13 it will open its first “The Clinic at Walmart” inside a Walmart in Hannibal, Mo.

September 1, 2011

CVS Caremark’s in-store health clinic business MinuteClinic has opened a new clinic inside the CVS/pharmacy store in downtown Charleston, S.C. — marking the first clinic to open in the Charleston metro area and MinuteClinic's 17th location in South Carolina.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark’s in-store health clinic business MinuteClinic has opened a new clinic inside the CVS/pharmacy store in downtown Charleston, S.C. — marking the first clinic to open in the Charleston metro area and MinuteClinic's 17th location in South Carolina.

MinuteClinic plans to open seven additional clinics along the South Carolina coast between now and early 2012. The new clinics will be located in the Charleston, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach metropolitan areas.

August 26, 2011

Kroger has announced that it is offering early flu vaccinations for patients within its 1,900 pharmacy locations nationwide and at the 79 Little Clinic locations in select stores.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has announced that it is offering early flu vaccinations for patients within its 1,900 pharmacy locations nationwide and at the 79 Little Clinic locations in select stores.

The flu shots are administered by Kroger pharmacists or Little Clinic nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

August 24, 2011

Hundreds of retail healthcare professionals gathered in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month for the fourth annual Retail Clinician Education Congress.

Hundreds of retail healthcare professionals gathered in Orlando, Fla., earlier this month for the fourth annual Retail Clinician Education Congress.

August 15, 2011

The Little Clinic, which operates clinics inside select Kroger, King Soopers and Fry’s Food Stores, opened on Aug. 5 its first location inside a Kroger store in the Atlanta area and expects to open a second Atlanta-area clinic this year as well.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.— The Little Clinic, which operates clinics inside select Kroger, King Soopers and Fry’s Food Stores, opened on Aug. 5 its first location inside a Kroger store in the Atlanta area and expects to open a second Atlanta-area clinic this year as well.

The new Marietta, Ga., clinic showcases a new design with a semi-private waiting area, two exam rooms and an electronic kiosk for patient sign-in. A second Atlanta-area clinic will open in Cartersville this year, the clinic operator announced.

August 8, 2011

Giant Eagle is preparing to open its first in-store clinic in Pennsylvania, according to a report published by the Pittsburgh Business Times on Friday.

PITTSBURGH — Giant Eagle is preparing to open its first in-store clinic in Pennsylvania, according to a report published by the Pittsburgh Business Times on Friday.

The clinic, Healthy Directions, is part of an existing program offered in cooperation with Monongahela Valley Hospital that will relocate to Giant Eagle. The clinic will offer physicals, immunizations and patient education programs on such topics as diabetes, cancer and orthopedics, according to the report.

August 8, 2011

The news that MinuteClinic has surpassed 10 million patient visits is important because the pace at which these milestones are occurring speaks volumes to the increased patient acceptance.

The news that MinuteClinic has surpassed 10 million patient visits is important because the pace at which these milestones are occurring speaks volumes to the increased patient acceptance.

(THE NEWS: MinuteClinic surpasses 10 millionth patient visit mark. For the full story, click here.)

August 1, 2011

This year’s fourth annual Retail Clinician Education Congress kicked off on Monday, bringing together hundreds of retail healthcare professionals to network, receive exclusive accreditation and honor those providers and key executive leaders whose work throughout the year has distinguished them among their peers in retail health care.

ORLANDO, Fla. — This year’s fourth annual Retail Clinician Education Congress kicked off on Monday, bringing together hundreds of retail healthcare professionals to network, receive exclusive accreditation and honor those providers and key executive leaders whose work throughout the year has distinguished them among their peers in retail health care.