List Archives

Sun Aug 26 04:11:52 BST 2007

Now enter a NEW form of care.   Ready Check & Treat  Clinics.   These are in 
grocery stores. Home supply stores and  shopping centers.    They are NOT an 
emergnecy room, and are only  open when the store is open.    They are staffed 
by nurse  practioneers and on the wall are posted conditions they will treat 
and those  they will not.     Minor allergic reactions, physical  examinations, 
prescription refills, diabetic checks, hypertension treatments,  bronchitis, 
and others are listed.  They also give flu shots, TB  tests, hepatitis shots, 
and others.     A physician supervisor of  many clinic sites is the licensure 
coverage.   EVERYTHING is on a CASH  ONLY basis.   Approximately a one time 
fee of $50.00 for any  evaluation or treatment.  They take NO insurance or 
prepaid  plans.    They are doing quite well in a number of cities,  including 
Houston.     

One MAJOR issue.   There is no agreed upon referral base to  tertiary care 
centers. It is much like the FQHCs in that there is no funding or  mechanism for 
specialty care or operation, etc, if  needed.     At least the FQHCs do 
attempt to have some  dialogue, but the grocery store clinic areas are totally  
isolated.    I am still trying to find out if there is any  intended plan for 
followup and referral, or a plan to merely see only the very  very minor 
conditions.       I also am attempting  to discover the surgical condition screening 
training and comprehension.   So far I am merely tabulating data.  

k

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Grocery Store Clinics