Content about Convenient care clinic

NEW YORK Convenience and value. That’s what community pharmacy and their retail clinic partners deliver to their patients. And that’s what the Department of Defense is counting on in covering immunizations at local pharmacies and identifying convenient care clinics as network providers — two separate pieces of news issued within the past month that really underscore the importance of pharmacies and retail clinics in the delivery of health care today.

NEW YORK The alliance between CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic and Allina Hospitals & Clinics may not be the first time that a clinic operator has partnered with a hospital system, but that doesn't mean that the partnership is any less important.

In fact, the fact that the industry is seeing more of these types of alliances is not only one more example of how the convenient care clinic model continues to evolve but it is also a clear indication of the growing acceptance of the retail clinic concept among the established medical community.

NEW YORK Bottom line: The CDC report means one of two things. The 2009-2010 flu season has kicked off to a roaring start as early as late August/early September — it usually doesn’t pick up until mid-October. Or that the 2008-2009 flu season never really ended.

NEW YORK The fact that Take Care Health Systems has expanded its service offering to include nebulizer treatments is important for several reasons, one of which is that it will further help alleviate some of the pressure at overflowing emergency rooms.

The move also helps Take Care Health prepare to deal with chronic disease management for asthma in all of its clinics.

NEW YORK News that Take Care Health Systems now offers treatment for skin conditions and minor injuries is further evidence that the retail-based clinic model continues to evolve and implement valuable services to augment patients’ healthcare needs.

News that The AeroClinic has opened its second airport-based health clinic speaks not only to the importance of the convenience care industry but also to the industry’s evolution as health care professionals continue their quest to provide consumers with quality, affordable and convenient healthcare services.

NEW YORK With the country focused on expanding health care to 46 million uninsured, the fact that UnitedHealth and Cisco have thought to include retail clinics into their joint telehealth solution is a nod to the important role clinics play as healthcare extenders.