MinuteClinic to collaborate with Cleveland Clinic Florida

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — MinuteClinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida, a multispecialty academic medical center that is part of the Cleveland Clinic health system, have entered into a clinical affiliation to enhance the healthcare services they provide and offer patients greater access to care.

Under the agreement, Cleveland Clinic Florida family physicians will serve as medical directors for 12 MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores from Palm Beach to Broward counties in Florida. In addition, MinuteClinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives. Signage at MinuteClinic locations will inform patients that each site is collaborating with Cleveland Clinic Florida.

"We look forward to working with one of the world's top medical institutions to expand access to high-quality care in South Florida and deliver positive health outcomes to thousands of patients in the region," stated Andrew Sussman, president of MinuteClinic and SVP/associate chief medical officer for CVS Caremark. "Cleveland Clinic family physicians will be a valuable resource for our nurse practitioners, and we hope to collaborate on a number of initiatives spanning from patient wellness to information connectivity among our clinical practice sites."

Added Eduardo Oliveira, chairman of the division of medicine at Cleveland Clinic Florida, "What is exciting about this partnership is that it gives us the opportunity to explore new ways to deliver patient care and manage chronic conditions. We will also be able to cost effectively provide health screenings and wellness programs, which will be a tremendous benefit to the South Florida community."

MinuteClinic patients with more urgent medical needs will be referred to their existing primary care provider or the nearest urgent care center or emergency room. If patients do not have an existing primary care provider, they will be provided choices that include — but are not be limited to — Cleveland Clinic Florida-affiliated options.

With patient permission, Cleveland Clinic Florida and MinuteClinic will work toward integration of information sharing, including medical histories and visit summaries, among their locations in the region. In the meantime, MinuteClinic stated that it will continue its standard practice of sending visit summaries to primary care providers via fax or mail, typically within 24 hours with patient consent.