CVS Health's MinuteClinic Marks Decade of Accreditation from The Joint Commission With Latest Evaluation

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Jan. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten years after becoming the first national retail clinic provider to be accredited by The Joint Commission (then JCAHO), MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinic of CVS Health, has achieved its third consecutive reaccreditation from the national health care evaluation and certifying agency.

The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ demonstrates MinuteClinic's compliance with the organization's national standards for ambulatory health care quality and safety.

Valid for up to a three-year period, The Joint Commission accreditation applies to MinuteClinic's 1,050 locations inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in 33 states and the District of Columbia.

"Since 2006 we have participated in the rigorous accreditation process carried out by The Joint Commission to validate the high clinical quality and safety standards we strive to achieve at all MinuteClinic locations across the United States," said Andrew Sussman, President, MinuteClinic and Executive Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer CVS Health. "With patient satisfaction ratings of 95 percent and clinical collaborations with more than 60 leading health systems throughout the country, we have demonstrated a consistent record of quality and coordination of care unsurpassed in the retail clinic industry."

Established in 1975, The Joint Commission's Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation program encourages high quality patient care in all types of freestanding ambulatory care facilities. An estimated 2,100 organizations currently maintain Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation, awarded for a three-year period. 

"Joint Commission accreditation provides ambulatory care organizations with the processes contributing to improvements in a variety of areas from the enhancement of staff education to the demonstration of leading practices within the ambulatory setting," said Michael Kulczycki, M.B.A., CAE, executive director, Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation program, The Joint Commission. "We commend MinuteClinic for its efforts to become a quality improvement organization, and achieving this pinnacle demonstrating a commitment to patient safety and quality."

Following The Joint Commission's usual survey process, on-site evaluations were conducted at MinuteClinic locations across the U.S.  A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated MinuteClinic for compliance with standards for a variety of areas, including coordination of care, infection prevention and control, management of medications and patient education.

MinuteClinic medical clinics are open seven days a week with weekday evening hours.  No appointment is required. Most visits are covered by insurance. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted at each clinic and on www.minuteclinic.com. The cost for most treatment starts at $89-$99.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants at MinuteClinic specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions and joint sprains are treated.  In addition, MinuteClinic practitioners administer vaccinations, conduct physicals and wellness screenings, and offer monitoring and point-of-care testing for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure.

About The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies nearly 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

About MinuteClinic
CVS/minuteclinic is the retail medical clinic of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail medical clinics in the United States in 2000 and is the largest provider of retail clinics with more than 1,100 locations in 33 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to patient demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has provided care through more than 26 million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating. MinuteClinic is the only retail health care provider to receive four consecutive accreditations from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.minuteclinic.com.

SOURCE MinuteClinic

Related Links

http://www.minuteclinic.com