MinuteClinic and Hackensack University Health Network Sign Clinical Collaboration for Northeast New Jersey

WOONSOCKET, R.I. and HACKENSACK, N.J., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the retail healthcare division of CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), is partnering with Hackensack University Health Network, the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient health services in New Jersey, in a clinical affiliation that expands access to convenient, affordable healthcare services in northeast New Jersey.

Under the agreement, HackensackUMC physicians will serve as medical directors for six MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties, and parts of Essex County. MinuteClinic and HackensackUMC will also collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives, and refer patients to one another when clinically appropriate.  HackensackUMC will accept patients requiring a level of care not provided by MinuteClinic; while MinuteClinic will offer patients walk-in services for common family illnesses and wellness and prevention services, such as health condition monitoring.

Signage at MinuteClinic locations will inform patients that each site has a clinical affiliation with HackensackUMC.

"MinuteClinic's HackensackUMC affiliation will enable both organizations to capitalize on our strengths and share valuable knowledge as we continue improving our patient-centered approach to high quality healthcare services," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., President, MinuteClinic and Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. "We look forward to having HackensackUMC physicians collaborate with our nurse practitioners to provide quality oversight, teaching and back-up so we can provide the best care at the lowest overall cost."

HackensackUMC has more than 1,600 physicians providing a range of quality healthcare services to patients in northeast New Jersey.

"We are pleased to partner with MinuteClinic on this important clinical affiliation," said Robert C. Garrett, President and Chief Executive Officer, HackensackUMC. "Combining our award-winning clinical expertise with the trusted reputation of MinuteClinic will undoubtedly serve as an asset to members of our local community. This affiliation is another demonstration of our commitment to providing patient-centered, efficient care, and we look forward to a longstanding relationship with MinuteClinic."

In addition to collaborating on patient care and education programs, MinuteClinic and HackensackUMC will work toward fully integrating electronic medical record systems to streamline communication around all aspects of patients' care.  With patient permission, MinuteClinic will electronically share medical histories and visit summaries with HackensackUMC locations in northeast New Jersey.  In the meantime, MinuteClinic will continue its standard practice of sending patient visit summaries to primary care providers via fax or mail, typically within 24 hours of the visit.

MinuteClinic practitioners specialize in family healthcare and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia, pertussis and Hepatitis A & B are available at most locations. Walk-in camp, sports and college physicals for adolescents are available daily. In addition, MinuteClinic administers a series of wellness services designed to help consumers identify lifestyle changes needed to improve their current and future health, including screenings and monitoring for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

No appointments are required at MinuteClinic and most health insurance is accepted. Clinics in New Jersey are open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

About Hackensack University Health Network 
Hackensack University Health Network is the non-profit, New Jersey-based parent company of HackensackUMC, the HackensackUMC Foundation, Hackensack University HealthPartners Medical Group, and corporate joint venture partners with LHP Hospital Group (Dallas, TX) in ownership of two hospitals: HackensackUMC at Pascack Valley and Mountainside Hospital. With more than 9,000 employees and 2,200 credentialed medical staff members at hospitals within the Network, Hackensack University Health Network is the largest healthcare system in northern New Jersey. The Network has current clinical collaborations and affiliations with Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and Saint Clare's Health System. For more information, go to www.HackensackUMC.org.

About MinuteClinic
MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation (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 approximately 600 locations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has generated more than 12 million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating.  MinuteClinic is the first retail health care provider to receive accreditation (2006) and reaccreditation (2009) from The Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.MinuteClinic.com.

SOURCE MinuteClinic

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED