An effort touting affordable health care to those who need it began Monday when Medical College of Georgia opened The Clinic at Walmart inside the store at 4469 Washington Road.
Operated by the MCG Nursing Faculty Clinics, it is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon until 5 p.m. Sunday.
The clinic staff will provide care for common health ailments treatable without urgent or emergency care for anyone 18 months and older, including sore throats; sinus, upper respiratory and urinary tract infections; earaches; seasonal allergies; colds; acute bronchitis; cold sores; the flu; nausea; and strep throat.
Dr. Lucy Marion, dean of the MCG School of Nursing, said the "convenience care clinic" is needed for people suffering from nonurgent conditions, especially after hours and on weekends, when primary care physicians are not available.
"We see that in our ER," Dr. Marion said. "There's a huge demand for (immediate treatment) for minor problems."
Nurse practitioners and MCG faculty will staff the clinic, which also will provide valuable clinical experience for MCG nursing students, Dr. Marion said.
Visits for most common ailments cost $55.
Others services, up to $80, include suture, ear wax and wart removal; basic and sports physicals; TB, pregnancy, diabetes and drug screenings; and seasonal flu, tetanus and pneumonia vaccinations.
Dr. Marion said the clinic already is working with a few health insurance companies and officials are negotiating with others.
"We have so many visions about all we can do here," Dr. Marion said. "The sky is the limit. Right now, we're just getting our feet on the ground."
Reach Valerie Rowell at (706) 868-1222, ext. 110 or valerie.rowell@augustachronicle.com.
THE CLINIC AT WALMART
WHAT: Clinic for common ailments for anyone 18 months or older
WHERE: Inside Walmart at 4469 Washington Road in Evans
HOURS: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday
COST: $55 (for common ailments) up to $80
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Great idea! But part of its reason for existence is to supply "after-hour and weekend" care. Then why are the hours basically the same hours as the urgent care places?
No doubt... we need a few 24 hour urgent care centers to keep people from running to the Emergency room for urgent but non-emergency issues at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Great idea,,, just posting on another article that we need this in walmarts all over the country..GREAT
Seems strange to me that the county with the most people making the most money gets a clinic for affordable health care.
awesome! theirs some pretty girls that work at mcg. especially in emergency medicine.
seenit - Clinics like this have been open in Walmart stores out west for several years. I agree with peony that it's mighty interesting the one store in this area opening the first clinic is not only in a higher income area but is also within a few miles of several urgent care facilities.
Some people just feel safer working in the mtz. area..My sister has a business on Telfair st. She has had abut 6 breakins in the last 3 years...some damage done to air cond. just for the copper,,money taken from drink machines etc. etc.
As a medical professional myself I do not recommend going to this clinic for these illnesses if you are not going to see a physician or health practitioner, even if they are considered "nonurgent". Just having a nurse check you out or make a medical decision on behalf of a doctor, or even having an NP or PA do so without a doc present, is not wise.
They are the same because that's when most people go to be seen. There isn't enough business to stay open 24 hours.