MinuteClinic

MinuteClinic
Subsidiary of CVS Health
Founded March 2000 as QuickMedx, Inc.
Headquarters Woonsocket, Rhode Island, U.S.
Number of locations
 800 (Dec 2013)[1]
Products Medical - Clinic
Slogan You're Sick. We're Quick
Website www.minuteclinic.com

MinuteClinic (styled as CVS/minuteclinic) is a division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States.[2] MinuteClinic launched the first walk-in clinic in the country in 2000 and is the largest provider of retail clinics with more than 800 locations in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Nationally, the company has cared for more than 20 million patients, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating.[3] MinuteClinic is the first retail health care provider to receive three consecutive accreditations from The Joint Commission (2006, 2009 and 2012), the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

Services and hours

MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants who specialize in family health care and are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumovax, and Hepatitis A & B are available at all locations. In addition, MinuteClinic offers a wide range of wellness services, including sports and camp physicals, smoking cessation and TB testing. Routine lab tests, instant results and education are available for those with diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or asthma.

MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics are located inside CVS/pharmacy stores, and are open seven days a week, including evenings and weekends. No appointments are needed. MinuteClinic accepts most insurance plans.

Locations

The following states have MinuteClinic locations:

Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington DC

Criticism

Doctors acknowledge that Minute Clinics and other retail-based clinics are convenient. They admit that the clinics are cutting into their own income. However, doctors are trying to build a relationship with their patients, meet them regularly, and follow up on problems. The clinics interfere with that relationship and fragment health care. Furthermore, said pediatician Claire McCarthy, "Sometimes a minor thing isn't so minor." The clinics do not have the patient's medical record, and do not know the history. A swollen knee, if it is part of a pattern, might be a sign of arthritis.[4] The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents do not use retail-based clinics for their children.[5]


References

  1. ↑ "CVS Caremark, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Feb 15, 2013". secdatabase.com. Retrieved Mar 29, 2013.
  2. ↑ http://info.cvshealth.com/newsroom/press-releases/cvs-minuteclinic-reaches-20-million-patient-visits
  3. ↑ http://info.cvscaremark.com/newsroom/press-releases/cvs-minuteclinic-reaches-20-million-patient-visits
  4. ↑ Why doctors worry about Minute Clinics--and what they should learn from them Claire McCarthy , Boston Globe, February 24, 2014
  5. ↑ "From the American Academy of Pediatrics. Policy Statement. AAP Principles Concerning Retail-Based Clinics.". Pediatrics 133 (3): e794–e797. March 1, 2014. doi:10.1542/peds.2013-4080.