Before a ribbon was cut on the MinuteClinic in the Pawleys Island CVS, the new facility had already welcomed its first patient.

It’s the seventh MinuteClinic to open along the South Carolina coast, joining the Murrells Inlet CVS, and 26th in the state.

“Clinics like this are important because it’s not always possible to get in to see your family physician if you need to be seen that day,” said Jessica Smith, MinuteClinic district manager. “In this area it’s also important because we have a lot of tourists here who may not have a family doctor and would like another alternative.”

MinuteClinics are staffed by nurse practitioners, who can diagnose common illnesses and skin conditions, treat minor injuries, perform wellness checkups and sports physicals, monitor long-term conditions, and administer vaccinations.

“This is a really quick way to come and get acute-type illnesses treated, very quickly,” said Paul Anderson, CVS district manager. “Definitely for the soccer moms and people who have a busy lifestyle, this is very convenient.”

Smith said the average exam takes about 15 minutes, but the wait time varies depending on how many people are already waiting.

Clinics are first come, first served.

The nurse practitioners can also write prescriptions to treat illnesses or injuries, or for a refill on a maintenance medicine for a person who can’t get in to see their physician.

“If you have an ear infection and you know you need some prescription but you don’t really want to go to the hospital and wait a whole afternoon on your vacation you can come here and get some prescription ear medicine,” Anderson said.

Prescriptions can be filled at CVS or sent to another pharmacy.

MinuteClinics accept most insurance plans. For people without insurance, the cost for treatment starts at around $50.

vvv

CVS has been adding MinuteClinics to its stores since 2006.

Along the South Carolina coast, there are also clinics in North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Hilton Head. The Murrells Inlet location opened in October and plans are to open an eighth location in Bluffton.

“Clinics have been very successful so far,” Anderson said. “Not only with the locals, but with the tourists.”

Georgetown County Sheriff Lane Cribb was on hand Wednesday to cut the ribbon on the new Pawleys Island clinic, and representatives from Midway Fire Rescue also stopped by.

For more information on MinuteClinics, go to www.minuteclinic.com. The website contains lists of procedures and prices, and which insurance carriers are accepted.

By Chris Sokoloski

csokoloski@gtowntimes.com