ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Patient satisfaction with retail-based health clinics remains high, according to a WSJ.com/Harris Interactive healthcare study.
Adults who have used one of the 900-plus retail clinics remain pleased with the quality of care ( 90 percent), cost ( 86 percent) and staff qualifications ( 88 percent).
The biggest driver of satisfaction, according to the survey, seemed to be convenience, with 73 percent being very satisfied and another 20 percent being somewhat satisfied with the convenience of these clinics.
The results are based on an online survey of 4,937 U.S. adults conducted by Harris Interactive between May 2 and 6.
The survey also found that clinic use has remained consistent, with 7 percent of U.S. households in 2005, 5 percent in 2007 and 7 percent in 2008 saying they have used a clinic.
Of those patients who use the clinics, 30 percent said they do not have a primary care provider. Respondents also said they believe the clinics can provide low-cost services to people who cannot afford care ( 78 percent) and to anyone at times when doctors’ offices are closed ( 81 percent).
The most frequently used services: vaccinations ( 40 percent) and treatments for such conditions as an ear infection or cold ( 39 percent). Preventive tests and physical exams for sports and school increased slightly this year.
The percent of adults whose health insurance covered some or all of the costs of at the clinic went from 42 percent in 2007 to 62 percent in 2008.
BY ANTOINETTE ALEXANDER department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger, Ralphs,
Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less,
Fry’s, King Soopers, Scott’s,
Smith’s, Dillons, QFC and
City Market.
“We welcome Kroger as a shareholder and partner in building a leader in consumer health care. We share a commitment to deliver innovative, quality, affordable health care to consumers across the country,” said Molly Ashby, founder and chief executive officer Grocery chain Kroger has invested an undisclosed amount in The Little Clinic to sup- of Solera Capital and chair- port the rollout of the retail clinics in its stores. man of The Little Clinic. tomers are becoming proac- makes it easy for customers Solera Capital is a private tive about managing their to take advantage of health-equity firm that acquired health and wellness. Mil- careoptionsinsideourfam-The Little Clinic’s prede- lions of customers already ily of stores.” cessor in 2005. rely on the professional ex- The Little Clinic currently
Added Donald Becker, pert counsel our pharma- operates a total of about 60 executive vice president of cists provide. Our partner- clinics in Arizona, Florida, merchandising for Kroger, ship with The Little Clinic Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio, “More and more, our cus- is one more way Kroger Michigan and Tennessee.
CINCINNATI — Looking to support the rollout of The Little Clinic retail-based clinics, grocery chain Kroger has made an investment of an undisclosed amount into the company.
The Little Clinic, which opened its doors in 2003 with its first two clinics in Kroger supermarkets in Louisville, Ky., currently operates 26 walk-in clinics inside Kroger’s family of stores.
The investment, which is described as “significant,” bodes well for the clinic operator as it works to bring additional clinics and healthcare solutions to stores across the country. Details of its growth plans were not disclosed.
Kroger has more than 2,486 supermarkets and multi-
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Take Care Health Systems, which is owned by Walgreens, hit a major milestone earlier this month, celebrating the treatment of its 500,000th patient since opening its doors in November 2005.
“The fact that Take Care Health providers have treated this many patients since the first clinic opened only two-and-a-half years ago shows that we are quickly emerging as an important part of the solution to the current healthcare crisis,” stated Peter Miller, Take Care Health Systems’ president and chief executive officer.
The company currently manages 172 clinics in 18 markets in 14 states and plans to have more than 400 clinics open by the end of 2008.
The 500,000th patient to visit a Take Care facility was Anita Davis, a Chicago-area resident and mother of four
children, who has used the clinic near her home multiple times for her family.
“My husband and I have visited the clinic because it is so convenient and we don’t need an appointment,” said Davis, who visited the clinic in Mt. Prospect, Ill. “You can tell that the Take Care nurse practitioners we’ve seen truly care about the well-being of my family. They even make a follow-up call to see how we are doing.”
Data captured from Take Care Health clinics’ 500,000 patient visits illustrated the following:
• To date, more than 40 percent of Take Care patients would have gone to the emergency room, urgent care or not sought treatment for their condition.
• Roughly 30 percent of Take Care clinic patients do not have a healthcare home—i.e. a primary healthcare provider.
• Take Care Health providers have referred as many as 20 percent of their patients to other healthcare providers, mainly primary care providers serving as an entry point into the healthcare system for many patients.
• Approximately 20 percent of patients pay cash for Take Care services either because they are uninsured or underinsured.
A nurse practitioner treats a patient at a Take Care Health Systems clinic. The company recently treated its 500,000th patient in less than three years.
SAN DIEGO — Southern one of the top health issues California health system facing communities in San Palomar Pomerado Health Diego County today. has partnered with Albert- “The PPH Expresscare sons/Sav-on pharmacy to centers are designed to open retail clinics, dubbed address health needs that Expresscare, in its Rancho require immediate attention, Peñasquitos and Escon- including common illnesses, dido, Calif., stores. Based vaccinations, screenings, on the PPH Community skin conditions, minor mus-Health Check report, cle and joint problems, and access to medical care is routinephysicalexams
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