CVS Caremark's MinuteClinic Is First Retail Clinic Provider to Earn Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission for Three Consecutive Accreditation Periods

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on its established record for clinical quality, MinuteClinic, the walk-in medical clinics inside CVS/pharmacy, has become the first retail clinic provider to achieve three consecutive accreditation awards from The Joint Commission. MinuteClinic has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ a third time by demonstrating compliance with the commission's national standards for health care quality and safety.

The Joint Commission accreditation is valid for up to a three-year period and applies to approximately 600 MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVS/pharmacy stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia.  MinuteClinic was first accredited by the Joint Commission in 2006.

"This accreditation and our continued compliance with The Joint Commission's rigorous national standards is a testament to the outstanding clinical care delivered by MinuteClinic practitioners during the more than 13 million patient visits at our clinics to date," said Andrew Sussman, M.D., President, MinuteClinic and Senior Vice President/Associate Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark.  "With patient satisfaction ratings exceeding 95 percent, we are proud of our record for delivering the highest level of care while expanding the number of clinics and patient services we offer across the United States."

Since 1975, The Joint Commission has developed state-of-the-art standards for outpatient ambulatory care organizations. The standards are developed in consultation with health care experts, providers, measurement experts and patients. Nearly 1,900 freestanding ambulatory care organizations maintain Joint Commission accreditation.

"Organizations that strive for accreditation in ambulatory care from The Joint Commission are demonstrating the highest commitment to quality and safety to their patients, staff and their community," says Michael Kulczycki, executive director, Ambulatory Care Accreditation Program, The Joint Commission. "I commend MinuteClinic for successfully achieving this pinnacle and for its dedication to continually improving patient care."

The Joint Commission conducted unannounced on-site evaluations of MinuteClinic locations across the country during the second quarter of 2012.  A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated MinuteClinic for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership and medication management.

MinuteClinic medical clinics are open seven days a week with weekday evening hours.  No appointment is required. Most visits are covered by insurance. For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted at each medical clinic and on www.minuteclinic.com. The cost for most treatment starts at $79.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants at MinuteClinic specialize in family health care and can diagnose, treat and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. Minor wounds, abrasions, skin conditions and joint sprains are treated.  In addition, MinuteClinic practitioners administer vaccinations, conduct physicals and wellness screenings, and offer monitoring and point-of-care testing for chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure.

The Joint Commission
Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 19,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 10,300 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 6,500 other health care organizations that provide long term care, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services. The Joint Commission currently certifies more than 2,000 disease-specific care programs, focused on the care of patients with chronic illnesses such as stroke, joint replacement, stroke rehabilitation, heart failure and many others. The Joint Commission also provides health care staffing services certification for more than 750 staffing offices. An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting body in health care. Learn more about The Joint Commission at www.jointcommission.org.

About MinuteClinic
MinuteClinic is the walk-in medical clinic inside CVS/pharmacy which is a division of CVS Caremark Corporation (NYSE: CVS), the largest pharmacy health care provider in the United States. MinuteClinic launched the first retail medical clinics in the United States in 2000 and is the largest provider of retail clinics with approximately 600 locations in 25 states and the District of Columbia. By creating a health care delivery model that responds to consumer demand, MinuteClinic makes access to high-quality medical treatment easier for more Americans. Nationally, the company has generated more than 13 million patient visits, with a 95% customer satisfaction rating.  For more information, visit www.MinuteClinic.com.

SOURCE MinuteClinic

Carolyn Castel, +1-401-770-5717, CVS Caremark, castel@cvs.com, or Brent Burkhardt, +1-410-986-1303, TBC (for MinuteClinic), bburkhardt@tbc.us