The Little Clinic, UC Health form clinical collaboration
CINCINNATI — UC Health, the affiliated health system of the University of Cincinnati, and The Little Clinic have announced a clinical collaboration to provide consumers with improved access to healthcare services with UC Health supporting The Little Clinic locations inside 18 Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, area Kroger stores.
“This collaboration allows patients greater access to health care close to home and work,” stated Dr. Ken Patric, chief medical officer for The Little Clinic. “One of our goals is to provide convenient monitoring for those who struggle with chronic care management such as diabetes. Offering a convenient place for routine examinations and supervision of such conditions will enhance compliance and improve outcomes.”
This arrangement with UC Health will serve to strengthen the patient-physician relationship, the companies stated. With the patient’s permission, The Little Clinic and UC Health will exchange medical record information for greater continuity of care. This will enable patients of UC Health to access care at The Little Clinic for common illnesses, minor injuries, vaccinations, physicals and other wellness services. Convenient availability to health care in the evenings and weekends will also help reduce visits to the emergency room.
“Developing relationships that improve access to specialized health care throughout the region and nationally is one of UC Health’s strategic initiatives,” added Jim Kingsbury, president and CEO of UC Health. “Kroger is an iconic company deeply rooted in Cincinnati and we look at the association with The Little Clinic as a tremendous opportunity.”
The Little Clinic was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Nashville. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Kroger, The Little Clinic healthcare clinics are currently located inside select Kroger stores in Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio; and in King Soopers in Colorado and Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona.