Clinic operators define future success strategies
WASHINGTON Drug Store News co-sponsored in October the first annual Retail Clinic Vendor Fair.—Looking to bring clinic operators and suppliers together for one-on-one power sessions and to discuss the importance—and needs—of nurse practitioners working in such settings, the Convenient Care Association and
The event, which was held here at Hotel Palomar Oct. 15 to 17, marked the second time that Drug Store News has teamed up with CCA. The first co-sponsored event, held in Philadelphia in March, was a Retail Health Clinic Summit.
During the vendor fair, Web Golinkin, chief executive officer of clinic operator RediClinic, officially stepped in as CCA president. He succeeds Hal Rosenbluth, chairman of Take Care Health Systems and senior strategy consultant of health care for Walgreens, who served as the CCA’s first president.
In his address on the year ahead, Golinkin said the next 12 months will be critical, in part, because healthcare reform will be in the spotlight of the upcoming presidential campaign. Not to mention the fact that the convenient care industry has faced some resistance from members of the medical community.
Going forward, Golinkin said, it will be important for clinic operators to continue to deliver and document the ability to deliver quality care; consistently communicate the benefits to key constituents and continue to collaborate with others in the healthcare system.
“CCA is a work in progress but with Hal’s help we have come a long way in a short time,” Golinkin said. Also on the agenda was an educational program featuring the introduction of proprietary research results on the retail clinic industry, presented by Rob Eder, editor-in-chief of Drug Store News and Retail Clinician magazine.
Among the research findings: nurse practitioners are seeking new information that will help them counsel patients, including more NP-focused CME. In fact, when asked what types of information or resources would help them in their job, the response was overwhelming and very clear: CME. Also high up on the list was disease state information, OTC product updates and new generic drug introductions.
The study also found that nurse practitioners overwhelmingly are satisfied with the opportunity to deliver health care in this new patient care environment. In fact, 74 percent described themselves as either extremely satisfied or very satisfied with their current jobs.
The nationwide survey was conducted online between August and September. Results are based on the responses of about 150 nurse practitioners.
The event featured a panel discussion with several CCA members. Topics covered included legislative process and regulations, technology, staffing and quality assurance.
“Let’s be honest. If a nurse practitioner is good enough to save the life of America’s finest in Iraq, they certainly can handle pink eye in Peoria,” Rosenbluth said during his address to attendees. “The fact is there are simply not enough providers and we need more doctors and nurses of all skill sets and specialties. The system is broken and needs to be fixed and integrated.”