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Ellet, Stow stores first; more sites are likely
By Cheryl Powell
Beacon Journal medical writer
Published on Tuesday, Sep 09, 2008
Acme Fresh Market and Akron General Health System are teaming up to let shoppers check out their minor ailments before hitting the checkout line.
The Akron-based grocer announced Monday it has joined with Akron General to staff two walk-in clinics, called ExpressCare Clinics, inside Acme stores in Stow and Akron's Ellet neighborhood.
More locations probably will be added at stores throughout the region, said Steve Albrecht, president of Acme Fresh Markets.
''Customers are going to be getting first-class care from one of the top hospitals in our community in this ExpressCare format,'' he said. ''Our strategy was to offer our customers a healthy and wellness environment that extends from the produce department to the pharmacy. We think the ExpressCare Clinic is a great step in that direction.''
Acme recently acquired the clinics from QuickClinic, which had been operating the mini-medical offices since 2005.
The grocer contracted with Akron General to establish the medical guidelines for the clinics. They treat babies, children and adults suffering from minor problems, such as strep throat, ear infections, pink eye and sinus infections, said Tom Lubotsky, president of Akron General Partners, a subsidiary of Akron General Health System. Vaccines, screenings and sports physicals also are available.
More serious problems are referred to doctors' offices or hospital emergency rooms.
Patients are seen by nurse practitioners employed by Akron General.
Doctors informed
Reports from each visit are sent to the patient's primary doctor, he said. If the patient doesn't have a regular doctor, referrals are provided.
''We see the retail clinics being just one offering we want to explore in integrating health and wellness,'' Lubotsky said. ''We want to continue to integrate our services around health and wellness into that grocery setting.''
Acme owns the business and charges patients for the visits, which typically cost between $30 and $50, Albrecht said. Patients pay cash but can seek reimbursement from their health insurer.
''We think the concept makes a lot of sense for keeping medical costs down and making medical care more accessible,'' Albrecht said. ''It's going to be a great enterprise.''
Popularity increasing
Time-strapped consumers increasingly are buying into the concept of getting their medical care in a retail setting with extended and weekend hours.
As many as 1,500 clinics are expected to be operating inside stores nationwide by the end of this year, according to Retail Clinician, a publication devoted to the in-store health clinic industry.
The mini-clinics often are just a few steps away from the store pharmacy, where patients can fill prescriptions or pick up over-the-counter remedies.
That proximity can be a boon for a store's pharmacy business.
A recent survey by Retail Clinician magazine found about 90 percent of patients at retail clinics who receive a prescription during their visit fill the prescription at the host store's pharmacy.
Big chains involved
In recent years, several retail chains have launched mini-medical clinics nationwide.
Walgreens, for example, hosts Take Care Health Clinics in some locations, including stores in Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls and on Akron's South Arlington Street.
Likewise, CVS pharmacies offers MinuteClinic practices inside stores in Aurora and Twinsburg.
''They clearly fill a void in the health-care delivery system for both the consumer and the provider,'' Lubotsky said. ''We wanted to make sure that we weren't simply standing on the sidelines and watching. . . . We feel very strongly that if they're going to be here, they're set up properly.''
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Acme Fresh Market and Akron General Health System are teaming up to let shoppers check out their minor ailments before hitting the checkout line.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 05:38 AM, 09/09/2008
Acme has continued to be a very strategically-run business operation in this area. 3rd Millennium Incorporated Strategic and Business Consulting "Your Future - Our Solutions"
Posted 08:17 AM, 09/09/2008
Bring the sick people to where the food is? What a great idea!
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 09:02 AM, 09/09/2008
Who would want to be grocery shopping with people walking around with strep throat and pink eye, both highly contagious diseases!!
Posted 04:42 PM, 09/09/2008
Some of the people that are in the store shopping are sick anyway so at least they will be seeking medical attention.
Posted 06:39 PM, 09/09/2008
Just an attempt by AGMC to get patients to refer to their on-staff docs. Since their negative tirade against a new hospital in northern Summit County, they probably won't be getting as many referrals from those doctors as they did in the past.
