I am unhappy with how the minute clinic is run after my experience during a recent visit.
First, I did not feel that my privacy was protected at the sign-in kiosk. To sign in, I had to use a giant touch screen to input my personal information. Given that there was another patient standing right behind me, I was extremely uncomfortable that he could look over my shoulder and see everything I was writing. In fact, he even commented on what I was filling out, so I know it was visible to him. Isn't this a HIPAA issue?
After taking the time to fill out all of the information, the nurse walked out and announced she was leaving for an hour lunch break, so those in line could either leave and come back in an hour or could sit and wait. I'm not against anyone taking a lunch break- all employees deserve a break, even nurses. However this is clearly a staffing issue. How is it that shifts are not overlapped so that someone is on site to provide care at all times? This just seems to be common sense from a professionalism standpoint. I get that a minute clinic is not a substitute for an ER, so obviously no one will die from a nurse not being on the premises. It just seems ridiculous to me that the clinic would ever be unmanned. I made a trip to get a basic vaccination. I shouldn't have to wait over an hour for a shot that takes less than a minute. In my case, it would have made no sense to drive home, just to turn around and drive back once the hour was up.
The man behind me in line was bleeding from a cut. It didn't appear to be life-threatening but probably should have received prompt attention. The nurse told him to go to the ER if he felt it was serious enough that his injury required immediate attention. I don't know the man personally, but he did not appear to be an individual of means. I'm guessing he probably came to the clinic because he could not afford to go to the ER for something non-life threatening.
I was sent over to CVS from LexMed, which is just down the street. I would venture to say that this CVS location stands to profit from referrals from the hospital or patients passing by on their way home from doctor's appointments. It really needs to up its game if it wants to tap into this easy source of business. read more