RediClinic closings

APCToday.com just received word that RediClinic has closed retail clinics in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Virginia. A report from the field suggests that the NPs employed at these sites were given no advance warning.
Were you affected?
What do you think this means for the future of our profession? Let us know.

Comments

[Bob Blumm]

This comment was sent to me from a former Manager of Operations of Minute Clinic:
As licensed professionals we all should have known better than to ever put ourselves at the mercy of corporate America. This was a new concept, we were drawn by the salaries and the thought that we were pioneers in this new realm. They played on our kindness, compassion, and passion for what we do. They used us until they didn't need us anymore and then discarded us. For this reason, I will fight against any legislation that will allow the corporate ownership of healthcare in NY. For all the NPs who don't or didn't realize that these people care nothing for the well-being of the NP or the patients - they care only about their bottom line.

[Bob Blumm]

A new snapshot of the Retail Healthcare Industry.
I was one of the people who saw this as a real opportunity for the community, for patients, for the relief of pressure in the ER as well as for clinicians. This was ideal for the semi-retired, for the fifty plus age clinician who has paid their dues and needed to maintain a practice and income but hoped for a less vigorous pace. The money was fair, the promises were Legion but the reality set in when these clinics were taken over by the large companies who "house " the clinic.
Patients see this as yet another broken promise of a fair dispensing of care to their families. The clinicians who have "manned" these clinic have been disillusioned and have suffered a "black eye" in the community. Is this industry a total failure----No. But has this industry and the broken promises been a microcosim of the fractured healthcare in America--Yes.
Have clinicans been made to make statements to the SED and DOH that may lack veracity--there are a growing number of clinicians that would say , yes! When a state has determined that corporations cannot own the clinic and that they must be owned by a proven investment by the NP who has signed on as an "owner" in the state, who has supplied the money for the investment? Has there been deceit---many would say yes. some say, Investigate and follow the trail.
The purpose of a blog such as this, is to gather a summary of responses that can be of help to other clinicians.
Do you have a story? Share with us.

[K Korber]

In addition to the healthcare delivery system elements previously posted, RediClinics may be the victim of being a "weak link", from a business model perspective, in these discouraging economic times.

We may also see consolidation and/or attrition in this area; as is often the case among other business types offering similar customer services...

[Marianne]

Like all retail concepts, when the concept appears viable, everyone wants a piece of the pie (and $$$). In this case, once Minute Clinc did well, the proliferation of others followed with corporate backing. And like many other retail operations in this country, there were just too many, too quickly. Over saturation of the market occurred. And like many retail operations in down times, many are closing. Take a look at the numbers that will close after the holiday season.
The concept is valid but with too many clinics, many just cannot be viable at this stage of the game. NPs like all others entering in a business operation must do their homework including market over saturation and viability.

[Bob Blumm]

Redi Clinic closed 15 retail clinics

RediClinic closes doors on 15 stores inside Wal-Mart locations
By Antoinette Alexander

HOUSTON (Dec. 19) Citing a tough economy, in-store clinic operator RediClinic has closed its 15 clinics located within Wal-Mart stores in several states.

According to a company spokesperson, the shuttered clinics were underperforming for “a variety of reasons,” and RediClinic could not continue to support them in today’s difficult economic environment.

The closures included two clinics Oklahoma, nine clinics in Virginia, two in Arkansas and two in Atlanta.

RediClinic continues to operate 21 clinics‹15 in Houston and six in Austin, Texas. All of these clinics are located inside HEB stores.

[generic viagra]

why they close this red clinic ?

[costa rica investments]

Oh, an entire year of A Finger in Every Pie. Congratulations on your blogaversary. Really, it feels like you've been blogging for years. I enjoy your beautiful writing and your scrumptious recipes.

[viagra online]

They don't really care about your health and use television to sell you sleeping pills that are addictive, dangerous and easily abused. This is the same FDA that lies and says that marijuana has no medical value!! In my experience marijuana.
A great article indeed and a very detailed, realistic and superb analysis, of this issue, very nice write up, Thanks.

[mulberry outlet]

I'd actually love to review these boxes on my shopping/lifestyle blog. i wonder if they'd send me a sample box to talk about?