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A cheep place to visit a doctor? Try ASU nurses clinic!
Sure it's not Libertarian, but I am homeless, unemployed and broke. I need somewhere to get medical help so I can get a prescription.
NP Healthcare
Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed 1-2 p.m.
NP Healthcare-North Tempe 1555 N. Bridalwreath Between Miller Road & Scottsdale Road, and between McKellips & Weber Drive Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; closed 1-2 p.m. Information: 480-858-6527. NP Healthcare-Grace Grace Lutheran Church 1124 N. Third St., Suite 1, Phoenix. 3rd Street, just north of Roosevelt Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed 1-2 p.m. Information: 602-523-9275. NP Healthcare-Scottsdale 3225 N. Civic Center Plaza, Suite 10. between Osborn & Earl, and between Scottsdale Road & Miller Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed 1-2 p.m. Information: 480-884-1717
Visits to 4 ASU clinics up as health costs rise by Emily Gersema - Apr. 17, 2011 07:46 PM The Arizona Republic The sluggish economy, increased health-care costs and rise in the number of uninsured residents have made Arizona State University's low-cost, nurse-managed health clinics in the Valley more popular, ASU officials say. Many patients are frequently returning for routine exams, so the nurse practitioners at the NP Healthcare clinics are like their family doctor. "Our client visits have been steadily increasing since I took this position four years ago," said Denise Link, ASU associate dean for clinical practice and community partnerships. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, about 4,009 patients visited the clinics for physicals, diagnosis of an illness, mental-health care and other health issues. Altogether, patients made 7,786 visits to the clinics - about 780 more visits than in 2008. The four ASU clinics around the Valley are on pace this year to exceed the 2010 visits. From July 1 to Jan. 1 about 2,763 patients sought care at the four ASU nurse-practitioner clinics, which are in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. Altogether, patients have visited the clinics 4,198 times in the first six months of this fiscal year. Nancy Simmons, who frequently travels for work between her home in Las Cruces, N.M., and the Valley, is a loyal patient. Since 2002, she has been going for routine care to the NP Healthcare clinic that recently moved from central Tempe to north Tempe. "They are the best-kept secret," Simmons said. Although she moved from the Valley to Las Cruces last year, Simmons continues to go to the clinic when she is in the area for her job with the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association. Simmons said she sees a gynecologist for specialized health-care issues, but she believes the ASU nurse-practitioner clinics have been her best option for routine examinations and tests. The clinics offer blood testing and cholesterol testing and are quick to call patients with results. "The fact that they can do the blood work and then get back to you within 24 hours with results is just impressive," Simmons said. For $45 per visit, an insured patient can receive a routine physical exam or be tested for illnesses such as strep throat. And if a patient or a family isn't insured, ASU offers a special health-care card, NP Care, for a $50 fee that helps lower the cost of visits and tests by more than half, to prices comparable or equal to those charged to insured patients. Nurse practitioners Arizona is among about a dozen states that allow nurse practitioners to treat and diagnose patients, order tests and prescribe medications without collaborating with a physician. Some own private practices that specialize in psychiatry, dermatology and managing or preventing heart disease. And some clinics, such as the 10 CVS/pharmacy-owned MinuteClinics in the Valley, depend on nurse practitioners to provide primary care to patients looking for fast, convenient care. At ASU's College of Nursing and Health Innovation in downtown Phoenix, students who want to earn an adult nurse-practitioner doctorate must complete 85 hours of class credit and 1,170 hours of clinical practice. Students in the nurse-practitioner programs can work at the clinics to earn their clinical hours. The ASU clinics offer these students a chance to practice on real patients what they have learned in class. Jenny Allen, 24, student from Mesa working on her nurse-practitioner doctorate, said she has appreciated the hands-on practice. While she has worked as a registered nurse for a hospital's postsurgical unit, Allen said she wanted to broaden her experience in nursing. Allen worked last semester at the NP Healthcare-Grace clinic, a clinic in Grace Lutheran Church in downtown Phoenix where she developed skills working on women's reproductive-health issues. "It was such a great foundation and background," Allen said. "They start you off doing pelvic exams and Pap smears." The Grace clinic was created through a partnership between ASU, the Arizona Family Planning Council and Grace Lutheran Church to assist low-income women and teenage women who don't have insurance and who are pregnant or havereproductive-health issues. The other three clinics serve a mix of uninsured and insured patients. Allen said all of her checkups were double-checked by one of ASU's licensed nurse practitioners who oversee the students working at the clinic.
ASU NP Healthcare clinics ASU has four nurse-practitioner-managed Valley clinics: • NP Healthcare-Downtown Phoenix at College of Nursing & Health Innovation building, 500 N. Third St., Suite 155. Opened its doors in 2006. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed 1-2 p.m. Information: 602-496-0721. • NP Healthcare-North Tempe, 1555 N. Bridalwreath. Also opened in 2006. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; closed 1-2 p.m. Information: 480-858-6527. • NP Healthcare-Grace at Grace Lutheran Church, 1124 N. Third St., Suite 1, Phoenix. Opened in 1991 to serve low-income and uninsured women and teenage girls. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed 1-2 p.m. Information: 602-523-9275. • NP Healthcare-Scottsdale, 3225 N. Civic Center Plaza, Suite 10. Was the first of ASU's clinics, opening in 1977. Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed 1-2 p.m. Information: 480-884-1717 |