Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE:RAD) and Atlantic General Hospital and Health System today announced an agreement to open Atlantic ImmediCare clinics inside three Rite Aid stores in Ocean Pines and Pocomoke City, Maryland, and Millsboro, Delaware, this fall. The clinics, which will be open daily, will provide extended hours for care in the evening and on weekends.
At Atlantic ImmediCare, certified nurse practitioners will provide patients with quality care for common illnesses such as strep throat, ear infections, tick bites, flu, bladder infections, bronchitis and allergies, as well as school and employer physicals, laboratory tests, adult immunizations and health screenings.
“This is an exciting partnership for Atlantic General Hospital, Rite Aid and our community in that our Atlantic ImmediCare relationship will provide expanded access and affordable primary care services throughout our region,” said Michael Franklin, President and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital.
“These clinics will supplement the primary care practices we already have in these communities and will be a lower cost option to other types of immediate care. It also will provide an after-hours and weekend option for care other than the Emergency Room, which will potentially help lower the cost of healthcare in our region. Those who need additional services beyond what Atlantic ImmediCare provides will have direct access to the diagnostic and specialty treatment services of Atlantic General Hospital,” said Franklin.
The Atlantic ImmediCare clinics in select Rite Aid locations are open to anyone. They are especially beneficial, however, to those who are already patients of any of the existing providers within Atlantic General Health System and cannot perhaps secure an appointment with their regular provider.
With the patient’s permission, Atlantic ImmediCare can provide treatment information to the patient’s primary care provider to ensure continuity of care. Because of the affiliation with the hospital and health system, records of Atlantic ImmediCare visits for individuals who are existing patients of an Atlantic General Health System provider will immediately be available to that provider through the electronic medical record, ensuring a continuous, up-to-date medical history and more comprehensive care.
“The Atlantic ImmediCare clinics will complement the medication counseling and care provided by our pharmacists and provide the convenience of high-quality, affordable healthcare services to patients who won’t have to wait for an appointment to receive treatment for minor illnesses and get basic medical tests,” said Robert Thompson, Rite Aid Executive Vice President, Pharmacy. “Knowing they will receive the same quality healthcare they would expect from any Atlantic General Health System provider is a reassurance to all our patients.”
Air pollution increases emergency department visits