CVS Pharmacy opens first MinuteClinic in York County

July 07--CVS Pharmacy launched the first MinuteClinic in York County recently at its York Township location.

This is the 35th MinuteClinic, a walk-in clinic that doesn't require appointments, in Pennsylvania, according to a news release. Open seven days a week, including evening hours, the clinic offers nurse practitioners who specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common illnesses, such as strep throat, ear, eye, sinus and bladder infections. Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions, joint pain, as well as common vaccinations for the flu, tetanus, pneumonia and Hepatitis A & B also can be handled, according to the release.

Walk-in camp, sports and college physicals are available daily. In addition, MinuteClinic administers a series of wellness services designed to help patients identify lifestyle changes, including screenings and monitoring for diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

MinuteClinic will join a range of walk-in clinics that are offered in York County, including WellSpan's ReadyCare, MedExpress Urgent Care and Patient First.

Most other walk-in clinics in York County are staffed by physicians, office staff and nurses. But MinuteClinic organizers believe limiting it's staff to a single nurse practitioner will keep costs down while still meeting the need of convenience.

Teresa Emerson, a nurse practitioner who helped open the Harrisburg location, said the one-person operation allows MinuteClinic to keep costs at a minimum.

"We're the receptionist, the housekeeper, inventory specialists and office manager," Emerson said. "Because we don't have to worry about a staff, we can turn our focus on the patient."

Emerson said the nurse practitioners who run the clinics try to create relationships with each patient, so they aren't just a random person coming in for that visit, but they return for continued treatment.

The nurse practitioners are taught to ask specific questions about a person's general health, so that they aren't just writing prescriptions for earache, but can have conversations about weight loss and treating high blood pressure, Emerson said.

And most visits can take as little as 15 minutes, she added.

"Convenience is a big reason why people are starting to turn to this type of care," Emerson said. "We listened to what people told us they wanted and our ability to grow proves it's working."

Contact Rebecca Hanlon at 717-771-2088.

No appointments are required at MinuteClinic and most health insurance is accepted. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted at each clinic and on www.minuteclinic.com. The cost for most treatment starts at $79.

The MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinic at 2080 S. Queen St. in York Township is open 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

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