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Retail clinic chain expands list of available point-of-care tests

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 18, 2012

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Take Care Clinic, which has more than 360 venues in Walgreens across the United States, is adding three tests to its list of services.

Tests for hemoglobin A1c and microalbumin, which are used to monitor those with diabetes, and fecal occult blood, which is a screen for colorectal cancer, were added to the roster of available services in response to requests from patients, managed care organizations and physicians, according to a statement issued May 31 by the company.

Retail clinics first emerged more than a decade ago offering treatment for acute ills but have slowly expanded into chronic care. Take Care has several collaborations with large health systems to that end.

American Medical Association policy states that retail clinics should have strategies for continuity of care and have systems in place for referring patients to primary care, if needed.

Take Care also is adding administrative physicals such as those needed for adoption, insurance certification, marriage and employment. The chain has long offered camp, sports and annual school physicals.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/06/18/bibf0618.htm.

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