MinuteClinic, Hackensack University Health Network sign clinical affiliation
WOONSOCKET, R.I., and HACKENSACK, N.J. — Retail-based clinic operator MinuteClinic, which is owned by CVS Caremark, is partnering with Hackensack University Health Network, the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient health services in New Jersey, in a clinical affiliation that expands access to healthcare services in northeast New Jersey.
Under the agreement, HackensackUMC physicians will serve as medical directors for six MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties and parts of Essex County. MinuteClinic and HackensackUMC also will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives, and refer patients to one another when clinically appropriate. HackensackUMC will accept patients requiring a level of care not provided by MinuteClinic; while MinuteClinic will offer patients walk-in services for common family illnesses and wellness and prevention services, such as health condition monitoring.
Signage at MinuteClinic locations will inform patients that each site has a clinical affiliation with HackensackUMC.
"MinuteClinic's HackensackUMC affiliation will enable both organizations to capitalize on our strengths and share valuable knowledge as we continue improving our patient-centered approach to high quality healthcare services," said Andrew Sussman, president of MinuteClinic and SVP/associate chief medical officer for CVS Caremark. "We look forward to having HackensackUMC physicians collaborate with our nurse practitioners to provide quality oversight, teaching and back-up so we can provide the best care at the lowest overall cost."
HackensackUMC has more than 1,600 physicians providing a range of healthcare services to patients in northeast New Jersey.
"We are pleased to partner with MinuteClinic on this important clinical affiliation," added Robert Garrett, president and CEO of HackensackUMC. "Combining our award-winning clinical expertise with the trusted reputation of MinuteClinic will undoubtedly serve as an asset to members of our local community. This affiliation is another demonstration of our commitment to providing patient-centered, efficient care, and we look forward to a longstanding relationship with MinuteClinic."
In addition to collaborating on patient care and education programs, MinuteClinic and HackensackUMC will work toward fully integrating electronic medical record systems to streamline communication around all aspects of patients' care. With patient permission, MinuteClinic will electronically share medical histories and visit summaries with HackensackUMC locations in northeast New Jersey. In the meantime, MinuteClinic will continue its standard practice of sending patient visit summaries to primary care providers via fax or mail, typically within 24 hours of the visit.
Interested in this topic? Sign up for our weekly Collaborative Care e-newsletter.