Northwest Community Healthcare launches health clinic in Palatine Jewel-Osco

Citing statistics that nearly half the community it serves is without a primary care physician, Northwest Community Healthcare this week launched its first retail clinic to attract patients seeking a convenient and affordable option.

NCH FastCare, located inside Palatine’s Jewel-Osco at 423 E. Dundee Road, offers walk-in treatments for a variety of common ailments at $59 per visit.

“It’s really based on what we feel is a community need,” said Michael Hartke, NCH’s executive vice president of clinics and regional services. “More and more, people are turning to these clinics as an avenue to receive care.”

Patrons of the clinic can see nurse practitioners and physician assistants working under the guidance of NCH Medical Group physicians. They’ll offer treatment for maladies including allergies, ear infections, small cuts and burns, cold and flu symptoms, sinus pain, and other minor illnesses and injuries. Insurance providers can be billed.The primary difference between NCH FastCare and similar facilities in national retail chains including Walgreens, CVS and Walmart is that it will utilize the same electronic medical record system as the Arlington Heights-based NCH Medical Group, and soon all four of its immediate care centers.Hartke said aligning clinic patients with the electronic system improves continuity of care, and enables doctors to more easily coordinate care regardless of what NCH facility a patient has visited.Hospital officials chose Jewel-Osco, Hartke said, because the supermarket chain was a willing participant. The north Palatine location was considered ideal because NCH doesn#146;t have a presence in the village despite the large number of residents it serves, he said.NCH FastCare is a pilot program in partnership with Wisconsin-based Bellin Health, which has 56 FastCare retail health clinics in operation or under construction throughout 13 states.There aren#146;t any plans for a second clinic, though Hartke said future sites are possible. An evaluation process is in place to receive patient feedback.Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. Holiday hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the clinic is closed Christmas Day.For details, call (847) 725-8620 or visit nch.org.