The Little Clinic, UC Health expand collaboration
CINCINNATI — The Little Clinic and UC Health have announced that they are expanding on their relationship to include diabetes management, beginning in December, inside seven pilot program locations.
“We often treat patients at The Little Clinic who don’t have a primary care provider, yet need to be seen to address larger health issues like diabetes,” stated Ken Patric, chief medical officer for The Little Clinic. “The expansion of our relationship with UC Health benefits both our patients who need convenient access for managing their condition and easy access for specialty care and UC patients that are stable and request convenient access for diabetes management and monitoring.”
UC Health and The Little Clinic initially inked a clinical collaboration in 2013 to provide consumers with improved access to healthcare services with UC Health’s expertise, supporting The Little Clinic locations inside Cincinnati and Dayton area Kroger stores.
The Little Clinic offers blood-glucose screenings that help identify diabetes. The patient and the provider discuss recommendations, including further assessment, treatment and referral to UC Health for patients who do not have a primary-care relationship. The Little Clinic and UC Health will exchange medical record information for patients receiving care with The Little Clinic and UC Health for greater continuity of care.
"We have seen significant and rapid changes in the healthcare industry these past few years. We are listening to our patients as we follow consumer demands for access to health care that fits their lifestyle and busy schedules. Partnering with Kroger allows UC Health to meet these demands and increase access to primary care that is convenient to the community through The Little Clinic, and patients can choose to fill their prescription at Kroger. This collaboration allows for one stop shopping without compromising the level of care the community has come to expect from UC Health, while you purchase groceries for the family," stated Richard Lofgren, president and CEO of UC Health.
Added Myles Pensak, CEO of University of Cincinnati Physicians, "This is a win-win situation. Emergency room visits should not be the place to seek treatment for minor illnesses. By providing convenient access and extended hours, a patient is able to save time and money related to routine care and still receive the benefit of expert care from the region's only academic health center when indicated. Patients needing ongoing care for stable conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can be managed through The Little Clinics where providers can access their UC Health medical records. In addition to saving time and money, hospital emergency rooms can reduce wait times and treat the seriously ill and injured patients more promptly and efficiently."