Approximately 50 million Americans are without health insurance. Now, through the partnership of Broward Health and Wal-Mart, uninsured South Floridians have an affordable alternative to access non-emergent healthcare services at two locations in Broward County. On January 18th, the partnership launched ExpressAid, a retail walk-in health clinic in the Coral Springs and Lauderdale Lakes Wal-Marts.
On February 28th, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Lauderdale Lakes Wal-Mart commemorating the partnership between Broward Health and Wal-Mart. Since CEO and President of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Lee Scott made his address at the 2007 World Health Care Congress, promising to open 400 health clinics in Wal-Mart stores over the next three years; this is the first partnership with a major hospital group to come to fruition.
Frank Nask, President/CEO of Broward Health; Mike Fernandez, Chair of North Broward Hospital District Board of Commissioners; Samuel Brown, Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes; and Dr. John Agwunobi, Wal-Mart Senior VP & President of Health & Wellness cut the ribbon to open the Lauderdale Lakes ExpressAid in Wal-Mart.
ExpressAid services include treatment of minor illnesses such as colds, sore throats, sinus infections simple skin conditions, burns and other minor issues. They also offer school and sports physicals, immunizations, screenings (diabetes, drug, cholesterol, HIV prostate, pregnancy, etc.), smoking cessation and if necessary, clientele can also receive medication prescriptions.
Under the direction of a medical director, the ExpressAid clinics are operated by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) and a Medical Assistant (MA) seven days a week. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Natassia Orr, administrator of Broward Health Weston is in charge of the ExpressAid operations and the sites are managed by Christian Rodrigue, nurse manager of the Urgent Care Center at Broward Health Weston.
“I think people will be very happy with the services we provide. Our employees are very caring and have a lot of experience. This partnership is a smart move as we are now equipped to service a clientele that was in limbo,” said Christian Rodrigue, nurse manager.
With an average cost of $50 per visit, South Florida residents who could not afford a visit to an ER or a regular physician now can get treatment for symptoms before they escalate. The seven day a week service also provides the opportunity to get treatment without missing work.
Scott’s announcement in 2007 is a significant expansion of a pilot project begun in September 2005, when Wal-Mart started leasing space to medical clinics inside Wal-Mart stores. There are currently 79 medical clinics in Wal-Mart stores in 12 states with plans to open locations in Little Rock, AR and Atlanta in April. Broward Health administration will evaluate the market and make expansion decisions over the next several months.
“We know that customers like and want these clinics. At existing clinics in our stores, about 90 percent of patients report being satisfied or very satisfied. They appreciate the fast, easy and convenient experience,” Scott says. For more information on Wal-Mart’s program, visit www.walmart.com/clinics.
Wal-Mart leases a 450 square foot space that contains two examination rooms and a reception area to Broward Health to operate ExpressAid. Rodrigue says while the space is small, it is well organized and run efficiently by staff.
Broward Health is a nationally recognized system offering world class healthcare services to South Florida for over 50 years. Broward Health is one of the five largest public health systems in the nation, operating six hospitals and more than 30 facilities of the Community Health Services and Broward Health Physicians Group.
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