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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- When Brandon Oliver felt an ear-infection coming on, he ran to his local grocery store, where a walk-in medical clinic is helping patients get faster treatments for common illnesses.
Just a handful of Utah grocery stores have the clinics, although it's a nationwide trend. Companies such as CVS, Rite-Aid, Wal-Mart and Walgreens tout the clinics as convenient, affordable alternatives to crowded doctor offices and expensive emergency room care.
Most clinics see patients for common problems like sore throats, ear and sinus infections, allergies, urinary-tract infections and bronchitis.
Utah's Intermountain Healthcare opened two clinics last spring at Smith's grocery stores in Salt Lake City and Farmington. The University of Utah's health care system has a clinic in a Salt Lake City Dan's Super Market.
"It's taking the public a little while to get educated about the clinic," said Rob Lloyd, University Hospital's executive director for ambulatory services and community clinics. "But it's a great service for a mother shopping with her sick kid who can swing in and get seen quickly."
Oliver said he likes his clinic because of the location and the price -- just $35 to see a clinician.
Most insurance companies are giving partial reimbursing clients who use the clinics, said Phil White, assistant vice president of operations for the Intermountain Medical group.
White said the clinics are less expensive than emergency rooms and provide a good alternative for the uninsured.
Intermountain Healthcare may add clinics in additional stores if demand grows, White said. So far, the clinics have low patient loads, but with flu season on the horizon that could change, he said. Patient Elizabeth Vincent said she liked the clinic experience.
"I didn't feel like my symptoms justified a trip to the doctor's office," said Vincent, who thought she had strep throat. "The clinic seemed so convenient and quick, especially because I could get some medicine and tissues at the same time. I got to the clinic just as it was opening, and I was out of there in about 15 minutes."
------ Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
