A minute clinic in the CVS on East Brainerd Road is shown in this file photo.HOURS OF OPERATION
MinuteClinics in Southeast Tennessee are open Monday -- Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Under a new partnership agreement between MinuteClinic and Parkridge Health System, Parkridge system physicians will serve as medical directors for seven walk-in medical clinics.
The clinics and hospital system also will collaborate on patient education and disease management initiatives, according to a news release.
MinuteClinics are open inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in Chattanooga, Hixson and Signal Mountain, as well as MinuteClinic's newest location in Cleveland, Tenn., which opened Friday.
Parkridge Health System will accept patients who need a level of care that is not provided among MinuteClinic services, and patients will be informed about the affiliation, the news release stated.
More than 600 physicians in the Chattanooga area are affiliated with Parkridge Health System.
"The alliance between Parkridge Health System and MinuteClinic ... ensures that individuals have access to the level of medical treatment appropriate for their condition," said Darrell Moore, president and CEO of Parkridge Health System, in the release.
Parkridge will work with MinuteClinic to streamline communication around all aspects of each individual's care, the news release stated.
With patient permission, MinuteClinic will electronically share medical histories and visit summaries with Parkridge Health System hospitals and affiliated physicians. In the meantime, MinuteClinic will continue its standard practice of sending patient visit summaries to primary care providers via fax or mail, typically within 24 hours, with patient consent.
No appointments are required at MinuteClinic; most health insurance is accepted.