PPH Opens Two Walk-in Retail Health Centers in North County
San Diego Daily Transcript, Wednesday, Sept 18, 2008
In recent health care trends, convenience is at the forefront of consumer demands. Long lines and scheduling often make doctor visits a hassle for common health care needs.
With these issues at hand, Palomar Pomerado Health (PPH) and Mascari Warner Architects (formerly Childs Mascari Warner Architects) have joined together in partnership with Albertsons/Sav-on Pharmacy to offer a solution for San Diego residents.
Mascari Warner Architects was approached by PPH to help create a new standard in outpatient health care. This standard lies within the form of health centers conveniently located within two Albertsons/Sav-on stores in Escondido and Rancho Penasquitos. PPH is the first health system in southern California to establish retail health centers, which have grown in popularity across the country over the last several years and now total 988 nationwide, according to Merchant Medicine.
Within these walk-in health centers, family nurse practitioners work in collaboration with board-certified physicians to provide care for patients 2 years of age and older. PPH expresscare treats many common medical conditions including strep throat, allergies, ear infections, skin conditions, cold and flu and minor injuries, while also providing select health screenings and physical exams.
PPH expresscare health centers are conveniently located and open seven days per week with extended weekday hours. Patients are seen on a firstcome, first-serve basis, and most visits average about 20 minutes.
“We are privileged to be on the forefront of any new trend in health care architecture,” said Matt Johnson, project manager for Mascari Warner Architects, “and are continually looking for ways to increase health care delivery on all ends of the spectrum.” “Establishing the expresscare health centers aligns well with our organization’s vision to increase access to comprehensive services,” said Stonish Pierce, PPH’s manager of clinical outreach services. “In fact, according to our 2008 Community Health Needs Assessment, access to care has been identified as one of the top four health issues facing residents in our service area. We see the expresscare health centers as an evolution in the delivery of health services for consumers to not only increase access, but to ensure that residents receive quality and convenient health care services on their own terms.”
