MinuteClinic signs clinical affiliation with North Shore-LIJ Health System
GREAT NECK, N.Y. — MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark and North Shore-LIJ Health System (North Shore-LIJ), one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, have signed a clinical collaboration to enhance access to high-quality healthcare services in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
Under the agreement, North Shore-LIJ physicians will serve as medical directors for MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics open seven days a week inside two CVS/pharmacy stores in Bellport and Syosset, Long Island and one on Staten Island (Hylan Boulevard). The agreement also includes plans for future clinics in the region as part of a national expansion that includes 150 new clinics in 2013 to reach a total of 1,500 clinics in the U.S. by 2017.
In addition, MinuteClinic and North Shore-LIJ will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives and will inform patients of the services each offer.
North Shore-LIJ facilities and their affiliated physicians will accept patients who need a level of care that is not provided at MinuteClinic services. Signage at MinuteClinic locations will inform patients that each site has an affiliation with North Shore-LIJ, which includes 16 hospitals, a network of nearly 400 outpatient physician practices and more than 9,400 affiliated physicians throughout New York City and Long Island.
"North Shore-LIJ's national reputation for clinical quality and excellence in adhering to best practices were important factors in the decision to affiliate with them," said Andrew Sussman, president of MinuteClinic and SVP/associate chief medical officer of CVS Caremark. "We look forward to having their physicians collaborate with MinuteClinic's nurse practitioners to provide quality oversight, teaching and backup so MinuteClinic can provide the best care at the lowest overall cost to New York residents."
MinuteClinic medical clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners who provide treatment for acute illnesses and administer wellness and prevention services, including health condition monitoring.
"This is North Shore-LIJ's first clinical affiliation with a retail pharmacy for walk-in medical services," said Jeremy Boal, SVP and chief medical officer at North Shore-LIJ. "We are confident that this agreement will be mutually beneficial to MinuteClinic, North Shore-LIJ and its physicians, and more importantly, provide local residents with another reliable source of health care."
MinuteClinic and North Shore-LIJ will begin to work toward fully 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 North Shore-LIJ 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.
MinuteClinic practitioners specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses, such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions and joint sprains are treated, and such common vaccinations as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia, pertussis and hepatitis A and B are available at most locations. Walk-in camp, sports, college, DOT and other administrative physicals are available daily. In addition, MinuteClinic administers a series of wellness services designed to help consumers identify lifestyle changes needed to improve their current and future health, including screenings and monitoring for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
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