CLARKS SUMMIT — A new Minute Clinic location at CVS Pharmacy, 101 N. State St., offers another avenue for residents of the Abingtons and beyond to receive health care services.
According to Pennsylvania State Practice Manager Cheryl L. Fattibene, the clinic offers walk-in services for acute care of coughs, colds and sore throats among other illnesses.
The clinic also administers vaccines, physicals and wellness screenings to check for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
Fattibene believes the clinic’s flexible hours is one of its biggest benefits.
“If your doctor’s office is not open after 5 p.m. or on weekends or holidays, we’re open every single day including most holidays and it’s affordable care,” she said. “Most services start at $59 and up. There is very little health care that is affordable, so we’re excited to offer this service.
“We’re more affordable than emergency care or urgent care walk-ins. Plus, we communicate with your doctor’s office and let them know you came to see us so there can be continuity in the care.”
According to Fattibene, most insurances including Medicare and some Medicaid are accepted.
She added many people would be unable to be treated if not for the 35 Minute Clinics across the state.
“A lot of people tell us if it weren’t for Minute Clinics, they would not receive health care,” Fattibene said. “We’re an access point into the health care system. Half of the people that come see us don’t have a primary care provider so we help get them hooked up. There are of lot of disenfranchised people who don’t have the health care services they need. We’re a portal and a way to get them in.”
The Clarks Summit Minute Clinic location is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Another Minute Clinic recently opened at the CVS on Moosic Street in Scranton.
There is one nurse practitioner on staff each day at the Clarks Summit and Scranton locations, and three who rotate between the clinics.
“We’re advanced practice nurses with advanced training and master’s degrees,” Fattibene said. “Some actually have their doctorate in nursing.”
The Minute Clinic program has been recognized by a national, non-profit organization for its high quality of care.
“We just received reaccreditation about three weeks ago with the Joint Commission, the national evaluation and certifying agency for nearly 20,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States,” Fattibene said. “We are one of two retail health care providers in the United States that has the (commission’s) gold seal of approval and we’re very proud of that.”
