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In praise of those new CVS clinics
By adamg on Sun, 06/21/2009 - 9:59am
Cleary Squared thinks they're wonderful, after getting into one in Porter Square right away to get his ears cleared out of wax:
... It doesn't make sense for people with minor injuries have to wait for care from their PCP, especially on the weekends, or have to shell out a much higher copay at the ER. The "continuum of care" will still be there; it just took the urgency of the situation and the ambition of the patient to take action.
That is why I made the choice to have my earwax situation taken care of now, rather than waiting two weeks for my PCP to do the same thing and have my ears plug up worse. This is why I had to go to Cambridge to do it, and I'd do it again above Mayor Menino's (and my PCP's) objections. ...
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Comments
Maybe this is part of the
Maybe this is part of the solution to clearing up our health care woes. This guy clearly did not belong in an ER, and would have just been wasting PCP's time, so why not let him go to a minute clinic? Its costs less for all of us, and he doesnt take up a doctors appointment either so my wait time will be less.
I think more of these clinics will allow those of us who hate making appointments 6 months in advance a chance to take ourselves to a clinic when the problem is happening. This in turn can lower the chance of a worse condition arising.
Thanks!
ShadyMilkMan:
That's why I went. It wasn't a life-threatening situation, just an annoyance that needed someone to look at. I could have made an appointment to see my PCP in Hyde Park, but the convenience and close location from where I work in Watertown made a huge difference.
Right now, my left ear is still a little clogged from yesterday (she wasn't able to get rid of all of it), but the NP there said if it still bothered me after 3 days, I could return. I will still see my PCP on a regular basis, of course, but the speed, courtesy and low cost (even without insurance) is more than worth it.
This is exactly what we need - and hopefully, it will come to Boston.
What a superlative idea
The notion that your PCP would make it hard to see him, yet discourage seeing another professional, is fundamentally asinine, and in my case, would be grounds for finding a new doctor. But since I don't go to the doctor myself, I really can't speak for your experiences with medical folks.
That Menino would scoff at this efficiency proves once again that he must be either fundamentally retarded, or at the very least, have some sort of learning disability.
My PCP is fine...
Oh, I have no problems with accessing my PCP, and I don't think he would ever tell me not to seek help when he isn't around. I don't think he'll give me a problem when I see him the next time (I hope). And it was for a minor procedure; if it had been more serious, I would have called the PCP first for advice, and then gone on from there.
As for Menino: I think his rationale is "for all the teaching hospitals and doctors we have, why would anyone go to a drugstore for help?" My response: "Why wait for a minor ailment that doesn't require an ER intervention to get worse?"
Wait - I thought the mayor's issue was
that he wants to promote smaller local stores? Isn't that why there's no CVS in Roslindale Square, but rather still Sullivan's?
Rozzie Square might be unique
Because of the owner's longtime friendship with the mayor, who seemed to have no problems with CVS expanding and Rite-Aid moving onto Centre Street right down the road from the West Roxbury Pharmacy.
But to their credit, Sullivan's has carved out a niche selling the sorts of stuff the chains won't touch - try getting a breast pump at CVS.
Maybe you need to forget
Maybe you need to forget about the health system and learn some basic health - if a grown person can't take care of ear wax, you probably should be relegated to mopping floors, or locked away.
Do they have Q-tips on your planet? How about washcloths> Were you neglected as a child? Maybe we need to look at the problem that someone your age is an idiot.
It's earwax people. WET IT WIPE IT GOODNIGHT.
Learn some basic medical knowledge
Certain illnesses and medications will increase earwax production beyond what you suggest. My husband had this problem when he was taking one of those medications.
Clue. get.
Call me an ear Whaaaaaaaambulance!
I don't think people wake up one day with something akin to a Yankee Candle clearance item sticking out of their ear. Preventive maintence, or a garden hose spigot, should help with these matters.
They might be able to help you with your hearing, anon
But I suspect that it will take a very large pair of foreceps, a lot of KY jelly, and some serious traction before your ears reemerge.
Um Mr.Anon maybe you are not
Um Mr.Anon maybe you are not aware but removing impacted earwax yourself can be very dangerous, when your that deep and that densely packed you run the risk of puncturing your eardrum. Wash cloths, qtips and other tools like that are designed mostly to pick up loose wax not stuff pushed all the way to the back and packed in.
If I ever need ear wax
If I ever need ear wax removal like that, I'm going to the CVS clinic.
If I get my ear drum ripped out, I'd much rather sue a big corporation with ugly signage than my friendly PCP.