MinuteClinic, Robert Wood Johnson University ink clinical collaboration

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services at MinuteClinic in New Jersey's Middlesex and Mercer counties.



The affiliation is MinuteClinic's 32nd collaboration with a hospital or health system in the United States.



Under the agreement, MinuteClinic and RWJ will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives and will inform patients of the services each offer at the MinuteClinics inside three CVS/pharmacy stores in East Brunswick, Old Bridge and Plainsboro. In addition, RWJ primary care providers will serve as collaborating physicians for MinuteClinic nurse practitioners working in these locations. The collaboration includes plans for future clinics in the two counties as part of MinuteClinic's national expansion plan to add 150 new clinics in 2014 and reach a total of 1,500 clinics in the U.S. by 2017.



Founded in 1884, RWJ includes a network of 1,300 physicians in Central New Jersey and is rated a top 10 institution for clinical quality.



"Robert Wood Johnson is a significant addition to the list of clinical collaborations we have developed throughout the United States with large hospital networks, physician-led health systems, academic medical centers and community hospitals," stated Andrew Sussman, president, MinuteClinic and SVP/associate chief medical officer, CVS Caremark. "We look forward to having RWJ physicians collaborate with MinuteClinic's nurse practitioners to provide quality support, teaching and back-up so MinuteClinic can provide the best care at the lowest overall cost to New Jersey residents."



Joshua Bershad, SVP and chief medical officer at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, noted, "As we continue to move forward in the post-healthcare reform environment, a greater emphasis will be placed on prevention initiatives. Our partnership with MinuteClinic aligns perfectly with our mission of encouraging and promoting wellness in the communities served by our health system."



MinuteClinic and RWJ will begin to work toward integrating electronic medical record systems to streamline communication around all aspects of each individual's care. With patient permission, MinuteClinic will electronically share medical histories and visit summaries with other facilities and physicians. 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, with patient consent.