NEWS — NOVEMBER 2007
RETAIL CLINICS
The retail clinic market is rapidly advancing as new locations continue to be opened throughout the United States. Consumers benefit from a wider range of companies to choose from in "established" regions such as the Mid-west, while other clinic operators expand services into "newer" markets, such as California.The retail clinic market is rapidly advancing as new locations continue to be opened throughout the United States. Consumers benefit from a wider range of companies to choose from in "established" regions such as the Mid-west, while other clinic operators expand services into "newer" markets, such as California.
A CEO's Perspectives On Retail Clinics
At the Mayo Clinic's (Rochester MN) first Transformation Symposium, one of the presenters was the current Chief Executive Officer of MinuteClinic, Michael Howe. In an interview published by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, Mr. Howe observed that systems management is a key component in the fast food industry that is also useful in the retail health clinic market. Other industry participants note the importance of having a flexible business model. When asked about what might happen next in retail clinics, Mr. Howe suggested that screening services may be expanded to improve preventive care. In general, the relatively slow pace of adopting new solutions within the medical community could be a significant barrier for health care innovators to overcome.
New "LipoDissolve Ultra" Provides Better Results: As a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, LipoDissolve is a form of mesotherapy that breaks down fat cells in specific parts of the body. The treatment involves injection lecithin into target areas such as the chin, stomach, or hips to dissolve fat. In March 2007, Crutchfield Dermatology (Eagan MN) introduced an improved protocol, LipoDissolve Ultra, which is currently under investigation to qualify for FDA approval. The new technique incorporates ultrasound massage before and after LipoDissolve treatment to make fat tissue more receptive to treatment. For more information, visit: Crutchfield Dermatology.
For more information, visit: Star Tribune.
California Clinics - MinuteClinic's Newest Locations
A total of 16 retail clinics should be operational in San Diego County by year-end 2007, according to an article published by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The first openings of MinuteClinic (Minneapolis MN) occurred in early November in Chula Vista, El Cajon, Oceanside, Poway, and San Diego. Additional facilities will be located in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Ramona, San Diego, and Solana Beach. In October 2007, MinuteClinic opened 17 clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernadino counties. MinuteClinic operates 360 retail clinics within the United States (November 2007).
One industry source estimated that more than 700 retail clinics were already operating within the United States as of late October. [1] A report published by the California HealthCare Foundation forecasts that there may be as many as 6,000 retail clinics established by 2012.
To learn more, visit: MinuteClinic.
Take Care Health Systems Reaches 100-Clinic Benchmark
In late November 2007, Take Care Health Systems (Conshohocken PA) announced operation of 102 retail health clinics in eleven states. New clinics were opened in Walgreens drug stores in Arizona (Tucson) and Florida (Miami, Orlando, and Tampa). Since November 2005, Take Care has served approximately 280,000 patients. Ideally, retail clinics provide immediate access to care for minor ailments as a convenient and cost-effective alternative to services provided by doctors' offices, emergency rooms, and urgent care centers. Services are intended to supplement rather than replace conventional resources such as primary care physicians. One of Take Care Health Systems' next goals is to establish a total of 400 facilities by year-end 2008.
For more information, visit: Take Care Health Systems.
[1] Merchant Medicine Web Site, October 28th, 2007 (http://merchantmedicine.com)
