Minute Clinic Provides a Convenient Place for Care

You walk into CVS on Rues Lane in search of something to get rid of that cough, that sneeze, or that rash. Sometimes your search comes up empty, and up you go to the pharmacist’s counter to see if they can help.

While those days are not behind us, CVS is now offering a new option. During your visit to CVS, not only can you do some shopping, but you can stop in and visit with it’s Minute Clinic and speak to an Advanced Practice Nurse, who can diagnose, treat and prescribe something for whatever ails you.

“A lot of times people will come into the pharmacy looking for cold products and something to treat it, and the pharmacist can direct them to us,” said Mary McCormack, the Assistant District Manager of Operations.

The walk-in clinic is open seven days a week, takes most insurances and can treat people 18 months old and up. It provides vaccinations, health screenings, can check cholesterol, blood pressure weight and glucose, and can provide parents with necessary paperwork for physicals.

“Most visits take about 15 minutes, flu shots about 5," said McCormack. “Right now, we’ve done a lot of sports physicals with the kids starting school and obviously flu shots and strep throat is year round. In the summer we see a lot swimmers ear.”

The Minute Clinic opened in East Brunswick  in late September and is the third in Middlesex County. Practitioners at the walk-in clinic 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, and common vaccinations such as influenza, tetanus, pneumonia and Hepatitis A and B are available at most locations.

In addition, staff at the clinic refer patients to their primary care physicians, or to emergency care facilities in the area if they encounter something out of their area of expertise.

“Every clinic has a local referral list to the nearest hospitals, urgent care, and then for patients who don’t have a primary care provider, we have a list of locals,” said McCormack. “We’re not meant to take the place of a primary care provider. A lot of doctors in established locations will refer patients here on weekends.”

McCormack said that with two full time employees and a steady rotation of part time and per diem nurses, customers should be able to build a rapport with the medical staff. So far, the reception has been great.”

“It’s been very good,” she said. “It picks up quickly, especially stroller traffic—moms who come in with a couple of kids when they call the doctors and they can’t see them until the next day. It’s just very easy.”

The Minute Clinic walk-in medical clinic in East Brunswick operates from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information on the clinic, visit www.minuteclinic.com.

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