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The AeroClinic Health Center at Atlanta's Airport Ready for Take-Off

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 June 2007, 12:00 CDT

A fast-growing trend in consumer healthcare delivery has just taken off at the world's busiest passenger airport with the opening of The AeroClinic at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Providing convenient, health-smart, quick-care medical and wellness services to the flying public, The AeroClinic places accessible, affordable and high-quality healthcare within easy reach of more than 80 million air passengers who travel through one of America's most heavily-trafficked crossroads annually.

Located pre-security, above The Atrium of the main terminal, the walk-in clinic incorporates efficient, self-service patient technologies with quick and easy access to minor illness care, prescription filling and preventive well-care services. In addition to millions of business travelers, frequent flyers and leisure passengers, some 55,000-plus Atlanta airport employees and airline professionals can drop in without an appointment to access these health services as well as preventive screenings. And, for the employees of its airport/airline partners, The AeroClinic even provides physical therapy and other occupational health services.

The AeroClinic's certified medical staff is trained and experienced in diagnosing and treating ailments which could ruin a business trip, family vacation or international journey. Common remedies include those for colds, flu, sinus infection, headache, earache, sore throat, seasonal allergies, minor infections, insect bites, burns, rashes and skin conditions. Preventive testing for chronic diseases, health screenings, physical exams and routine immunizations are also preformed.

"Americans have made it clear that convenience and affordability are important factors they look for when making a healthcare decision. With The AeroClinic now available to millions of the flying public, we feel we are on the front line of change in the healthcare and aviation industries," said Garry N. Jones, chief operating officer of The AeroClinic. "Locating at the busiest intersection of air traffic in the U.S., presents a unique opportunity to provide travelers the prompt medical attention they require in a genuine time of need. Considering patients might not otherwise have access to treatment for possibly days, The AeroClinic fills a much needed gap in our healthcare system."

Delivering Personalized "Swift Care"

Patients can expect a faster healthcare encounter at The AeroClinic, averaging 15-20 minutes for standard diagnostic and treatment. In addition, rates are affordable, with average prices ranging from $75-$85 for minor illness care treatment. The AeroClinic also provides convenient care to airline professionals and other airport employees for job-related injuries, physicals, screenings, random/routine drug testing and additional health services tailored to their needs.

Through a strategic technology collaboration with McKesson, The AeroClinic will incorporate several patient-friendly technologies to greatly accelerate and automate visits. Since no appointments are necessary, a check-in kiosk puts patients in control of customary tasks such as entering registration and personal information, family medical history, confirming insurance coverage and making co-payments. The paperless process greatly lessens the time typically spent completing required privacy documents and consent forms.

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants will not be backlogged with paperwork either, since they will use digital encounter documentation, online clinical ordering and e-prescribing tools to streamline their work. If required, the medical staff can prescribe and fill many common prepackaged medications on-site.

For follow-up treatment and continuity of care afterwards, confidential and secure electronic medical records, personal health records and prescriptions are available to the patient's primary care providers should the patient choose to share that information. When patients return to The AeroClinic (either in Atlanta or another future airport location), they can do it virtually, through an online portal, where they can maintain a log of their treatment and daily medication schedules, send messages to the staff and manage their overall health.

Even before the medical staff has seen a patient, health plan data and any available medical history is culled instantaneously at check-in from information entered on the kiosk. Automating this manual routine greatly shortens wait-times, promotes more efficient case management and accelerates patient care. Afterward, if requested, The AeroClinic can coordinate any encounter data and treatment with the family physician, pharmacist and medical support staff that normally attends to the patient.

"Since we will utilize evidence-based medicine guidelines, and rely on an electronic health record system and other state-of-the-art IT from day-one, we believe patients will have a much different healthcare encounter than they have experienced in traditional clinical settings," noted Dominic Mack, M.D., chief medical officer for The AeroClinic. "Our purpose is to provide quality medical care to patients, minimize their stay and help them travel well, work well and live well."

Help Patients "Travel Well"

Addressing commercial passengers' greater exposure to disease and sickness, flu and pneumonia shots, as well as customary vaccinations, are offered. Diagnosis and relief for common travel-related ailments, such as nausea and gastro-intestinal distress are also available.

When needed, the medical staff can prescribe medications and fill limited prescriptions on-site. And for those who left home without filling an important prescription, commonly prescribed drugs are available.

The professional staff also provides tests and monitoring for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and thyroid conditions. These well-care screenings, combined with general consultation and advice, ensure long-term lasting health benefits to patients and their family members. To serve the airport community's occupational health needs, a variety of on-site tests, procedures and evaluations are available including pre/post-employment exams, DOT physicals/certifications, pulmonary tests, vision and hearing checks, drug and alcohol testing, plus rehabilitation services and physical therapy.

"Bringing convenient and affordable healthcare to air travelers, as well as ground support and airline workers, is the beginning of a new trend that recognizes the significance of the airport community," said Felker W. Ward, Jr., chief executive officer and executive chairman of The AeroClinic. "The 80 million-plus airline passengers who travel through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, plus thousands in the airport community, can now take part in a progressive endeavor that can transform healthcare services and airport concessions as we have known them."

About The AeroClinic

Located within major U.S. airports, The AeroClinic is the convenient-health-smart-quick-care clinic of choice for minor ill-care, well-care, prescription and pharmacy services. Providing walk-in healthcare to the flying public, airline employees and general airport communities, affordable health services are available without an appointment and typically rendered in less than 20 minutes. Quality patient care is provided by nurse practitioners and physician assistants and includes primary care for minor illnesses, prescription and pharmacy services, preventive screenings and wellness consultation. Based in Atlanta, The AeroClinic is scheduled to open several clinics in major U.S. airports in 2007 and into 2008. The company's passionate team of healthcare professionals helps patients travel well, work well and live well. For more information please visit http://www.theaeroclinic.com

Source: Business Wire

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