MinuteClinic receives 6th consecutive Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation
CVS Health's MinuteClinic, the retail medical clinic located inside select CVS Pharmacy stores in 36 states and Washington, D.C., was awarded its sixth consecutive Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation from The Joint Commission.
Since 2006—when it was the first retail medical clinic in the United States to receive such accreditation—MinuteClinic has earned the Gold Seal of Approval by demonstrating continuous compliance with nationally recognized standards.
The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects the MinuteClinic commitment to providing safe and high-quality patient care. The Joint Commission’s accreditation is valid for up to three years and applies to medical services and treatment delivered at more than 1,000 MinuteClinic locations nationwide. In the most recent survey period, The Joint Commission also evaluated new mental health counseling services offered at select MinuteClinic locations, saw the CVS HealthHUB store format, reviewed virtual care services and met its nurses and physician assistants/physician associates for the first time.
[Read more: CVS Health’s MinuteClinic recognized for age-friendly care system]
“As we mark our 17th year of accreditation from The Joint Commission, I want to thank the more than 4,000 members of our team who work in the clinics and other locations to deliver the exceptionally high standard of patient care associated with the MinuteClinic name,” said Creagh Milford, senior vice president of retail health at CVS Health. “This reaccreditation validates our unwavering commitment to safety and quality and magnifies our significant contributions to improve patient outcomes in the hundreds of communities we serve across the country.”
The Joint Commission conducted on-site evaluations at MinuteClinic locations throughout the United States from Feb. 27 to March 3, 2023. Following the Commission’s rigorous survey process, a team of expert surveyors evaluated MinuteClinic for compliance with standards spanning several areas, including but not limited to, coordination of care, Electronic Health Record system use, infection prevention and control, medication management and patient education and safety.
MinuteClinic has an in-clinic Net Promotor Score of more than 81, putting MinuteClinic in the top customer rankings in both the health care industry and across all industries and companies. According to a variety of studies, the average NPS score for the health care industry is benchmarked between +38 and +58, with above 80 being considered world class.
“MinuteClinic is a national leader in quality and safety for retail health. Our team continues to deliver high-quality care that is not only accessible but affordable,” said Angela Patterson, chief nurse practitioner officer of retail health and vice president of CVS Health. “We also continue to improve the patient experience, now offering more than 50 primary care enabled services, virtual care and even mental health counseling in select locations. For more than 20 years, our clinicians have provided community-based care and continue to inspire trust in the patients they serve.”
[Read more: CVS Health debuts MinuteClinic in Washington, expands mental health pilot]
Standards are developed by The Joint Commission in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help health care organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
The Joint Commission Ambulatory Care Health Care Accreditation program was established in 1975 to encourage high-quality patient care in all types of freestanding ambulatory care facilities. Today it accredits more than 2,200 organizations in a variety of settings.
“As a healthcare accreditor, The Joint Commission works with healthcare organizations across settings to help improve patient safety and quality of care through our expert resources and tools, innovative solutions and rigorous standards,” said Deborah Ryan, interim executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations of The Joint Commission. “We commend MinuteClinic for its commitment to advance safety and quality for all patients.”