Bartell Drugs enters retail clinic arena

SEATTLE — Bartell Drugs will open retail clinics at three of its stores under a partnership with a local health organization, the Seattle-based regional drug store chain said Monday.

Bartell said it would partner with Group Health Cooperative to open clinics at two stores in Seattle and one in the neighboring city of Bellevue, Wash., staffed by nurse practitioners from Group Health. The program is called CareClinic: Group Health at Bartell Drugs, or CareClinic for short, and the initial three clinics will open between January and March 2014.

"The CareClinics reflect our shared vision and commitment to customer service, innovation, improving health and wellness and community collaborations," Bartell chairman and CEO George Bartell said. "We see this as a continuation of Bartell Drugs' vision to bring new products and services to our customers."

Services will be available to patients aged 2 and older and will provide care for minor illnesses and procedures like cold and flu, sinus infections, allergies, minor injuries, pinkeye, sore throat, headaches, head lice, ringworm, warts, sprains and strains, bronchitis, ear infections, urinary tract infections, diarrhea and intestinal infections.

Decisions of whether to expand the service will be based on how successful the initial three locations are, Bartell said.