Dive Brief:
- Hy-Vee announced Tuesday the opening of its first infusion clinic, which is located in West Des Moines, Iowa. The grocer noted it plans to add “several” more clinics at unspecified locations across the U.S. later this year.
- The newly opened clinic, which has three private infusion rooms and five group infusion suites, is referral-based and will provide treatments for rheumatology, gastroenterology, pulmonary, neurology, dermatology and oncology patients, as well as for people with other chronic conditions. Hy-Vee said that the location is staffed with licensed physicians and nurse practitioners.
- The move into infusion clinics furthers Hy-Vee’s push to differentiate itself and more closely align itself with expanding access to health care in the communities the company is in.
Dive Insight:
The move into infusion centers comes at a time when they appear to be in high demand: A survey from LeanTaaS, Inc. of nearly 100 cancer centers found that 40% claimed they have run out of space to accommodate patient volume, according to healthcare technology news site HIT Consulting.
“We are proud to open our first Hy-Vee Health infusion clinic as we expand our focus toward providing trusted, high-quality care to infusion patients,” Hy-Vee President Aaron Wiese said in the announcement. “As an independent clinic, Hy-Vee Health is an affordable, convenient and accessible option for patients who face chronic and complex conditions.”
Wiese said that Hy-Vee’s Health division aims to provide “convenient, cost-effective health solutions.”
Along with its foray into infusion clinics, Hy-Vee also recently announced that its registered dietitians will start this month hosting programs and events to help customers improve blood sugar management, including a new virtual program beginning in May for people with prediabetes, diabetes or gestational diabetes.
Hy-Vee has been focusing on health for a while. The grocer has operated its Amber Specialty Pharmacy, which specializes in personalized care for patients with complex conditions, since 2014. The grocer has also run retail pharmacies, which total more than 270 currently, for more than 50 years.
Hy-Vee claims that it is one of the few retailers in the U.S. to operate its own fleet of mobile health units.
Hy-Vee also creates free education programming for customers and offers several virtual wellness options, including telehealth and online pharmacy provider RedBox Rx and e-commerce health and wellness site WholeLotta Good.
