Posted: 01 Apr 2010 06:19 AM PDT

WOONSOCKET, R.I., April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- MinuteClinic, the largest provider of retail-based medical clinics in the United States, has introduced a series of convenient health condition monitoring services to help patients previously diagnosed with diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol and high blood pressure overcome the challenges of living with their conditions. Health condition monitoring is available at MinuteClinic locations in CVS/pharmacy stores in 20 states and the District of Columbia. MinuteClinic is the retail health care division of CVS Caremark ( NYSE : CVS).

The new monitoring services, called Monitoring Made Easy™, are performed by MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They are designed to support patients with ongoing health conditions in between visits to their primary care provider or to provide assistance to patients who may not receive regular care.

MinuteClinic will send all health care monitoring results to a primary care provider with patient permission. Visit summaries are sent via electronic medical record or fax, typically within 24 hours. In addition, MinuteClinic practitioners will help patients locate a primary care provider in the community if they do not have one. A collaborating physician (medical director) is on call during MinuteClinic operating hours.

"There are millions of Americans who are overwhelmed by the difficulties associated with caring for their diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol and high blood pressure," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., President, MinuteClinic and Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. "These patients must navigate the health care system on their own and often face enormous time and cost commitments that can sometimes keep them from getting the care they need.

"By providing health condition monitoring at MinuteClinic, our goal is to be a convenient and affordable resource where patients can not only receive an exam and regular lab tests, but also spend meaningful time with a practitioner to obtain advice and have questions about their condition and medication answered."

Monitoring Made Easy services at MinuteClinic are available seven days a week, including weekday evening hours; no appointment is necessary.

When providing health condition monitoring services, MinuteClinic practitioners review the individual's medical history and perform an exam and tests based on nationally established clinical practice guidelines for standards of care, which may include an A1c test and comprehensive foot exam for diabetes, breathing and oxygen level testing for asthma, a lipid profile for high cholesterol and a blood pressure check and microalbumin test for high blood pressure.

"We know from our own research and from independent studies conducted by the Rand Corporation, that as many as 60 percent of patients visiting our clinics are without a primary care provider," said Sussman. "So our practitioners are in a unique position to help patients identify a primary care provider and create a path of care that includes monitoring at MinuteClinic to stay on top of their condition."

Most health insurance plans cover MinuteClinic health condition monitoring services. Patients are advised to contact their insurance company to verify coverage prior to their visit. Self-pay visits start at $62. Patients are informed of additional lab charges at the time of visit.

A series of blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and weight evaluation screening services are also provided by MinuteClinic to patients who have not been previously diagnosed with a condition but want to determine if they are at-risk.

In addition to offering monitoring and screening services, MinuteClinic practitioners are trained to diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions and joint sprains are treated, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumovax, and Hepatitis A & B are available at all locations.

About MinuteClinic

MinuteClinic is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation ( NYSE :CVS - News), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail health care centers in the United States in 2000 and is the first provider to establish a national presence, with approximately 500 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 six million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating. A recognized leader in the patient-centric health care movement, MinuteClinic consistently brings innovation to the marketplace and sets new standards for clinical quality that exceed the national guidelines established for store-based clinics. 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.

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Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:39 PM PDT

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Posted: 01 Apr 2010 12:07 AM PDT

By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2005-2010. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Hot Off the Wire - dBusinessNews.com

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 03:35 AM PDT

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UpToDate, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, announces the addition of Allergy and Immunology to its clinical information database. Subscribers to UpToDate can now access over 300 topics specifically devoted to allergy, asthma and immunology, and a total of over 8,300 topics across 16 specialties.

UpToDate is an evidence-based resource that provides fast, accurate clinical answers to physicians and other medical professionals, particularly at the point of care. UpToDate is available online and can also be installed on a computer or mobile device.

Editors-in-Chief of the new allergy and immunology content are Bruce S. Bochner, MD; E. Richard Stiehm, MD; and Robert A. Wood, MD. These editors and 247 physician contributors worked to develop topics that cover all the major areas of allergy, asthma and immunology.

In a recent survey regarding the content in UpToDate, allergy and immunology professionals reported that UpToDate answered more than 90% of their clinical questions.

According to Denise S. Basow, MD, Editor-in-Chief of UpToDate, "The specialty of allergy and immunology encompasses a broad range of diagnoses, from sinus problems to food allergies to recurrent infections due to immune deficiency. Asthma is also an important medical problem diagnosed and treated by allergy specialists. UpToDate's allergy, asthma and immunology topics, which are authored and edited by leaders in the field, meet the specific needs and interests of both physicians and patients."

Widely accepted by more than 400,000 clinicians in 147 countries, UpToDate's mission is to improve health outcomes by providing clinicians with current, comprehensive clinical content, including treatment recommendations based on the best medical evidence. Created by more than 4,400 editors, authors and peer reviewers from leading medical institutions, UpToDate monitors more than 440 journals to ensure that the most recent information and findings are incorporated into the content.

About UpToDate

UpToDate ® is an evidence-based, physician-authored clinical information resource that is available online and can also be installed on a computer or mobile device. With UpToDate, clinicians can answer questions quickly, increase their clinical knowledge and improve patient care. Patients can also access UpToDate's free patient information or subscribe to UpToDate for the same current, in-depth medical content trusted by physicians. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Waltham, Mass., UpToDate is relied on by more than 400,000 clinicians worldwide, almost 90% of academic medical centers in the US and thousands of patients.

UpToDate is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health and pharmacy. Major brands include traditional publishers of medical and drug reference tools and textbooks, such as Lippincott Williams & Wilkins and Facts & Comparisons ®; and electronic information providers, such as Ovid ®, UpToDate ®, Medi-Span ® and ProVation ® Medical.

Wolters Kluwer Health is part of Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global information services company. Professionals in the areas of legal, business, tax, accounting, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and healthcare rely on Wolters Kluwer's leading, information-enabled tools and solutions to manage their business efficiently, deliver results to their clients, and succeed in an ever more dynamic world.

Wolters Kluwer has 2009 annual revenues of â‚¬3.4 billion ($4.8 billion), employs approximately 19,300 people worldwide, and maintains operations in over 40 countries across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. Wolters Kluwer is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Its shares are quoted on Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices.

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Health Asthma

Thursday, April 1, 2010

plus 3 more, “MinuteClinic Offers New Health Condition Monitoring ... - Yahoo Finance”

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