Just over a year ago, the owners of the I.D.A. Drug Marts were quick to recognize a need—and they acted fast.
They understood the effects the physician shortage was having on the local community and came up with an innovative approach. Instead of sitting idly by while patient after patient reported lacking a family doctor, they hired nurse practitioners (NPs) to help run their own clinic. They invested a lot of money to ensure their patients would be looked after and the free I.D.A. Drug Marts Nurse Practitioner Clinic was born.
It’s a sad fact that many I.D.A. patients have lost their primary care provider. Not only are they excited to see this service offered, they have been making good use of it, booking appointments with the drugstore’s knowledgeable NPs.
It all comes down to trust and dependability, which is what the local owners of I.D.A. had wanted to provide.
“We noticed the real need for our pharmacy patients to access primary care. There are many orphaned patients with no primary care providers and not many options available in our area to seek care/medical attention,” says Frank Perna, Owner/Partner. “We also wanted to help alleviate the strain on our hospital’s Emergency Department.”
The endeavour met with immediate success. They hired 7 NPs in total and the response has been fantastic, he says. “Appointments are always full and walk-ins are constant. Since opening in June of 2023 we have had 4,626 appointments as of March 18, 2024.”
“I.D.A. patients are so happy and so grateful for this service,” says Perna. “We receive good daily feedback regarding the clinic from patients who are utilizing our service. We have also received praise from different Sault Area Hospital departments.”
I.D.A.’s Nurse Practitioners are able to:
- Prescribe/renew prescription medications. (Please note that it is the clinic’s policy that no narcotics or controlled substances will be prescribed.)
- Order laboratory testing like blood work, urine cultures, etc.
- Order diagnostic imaging like x-rays, ultrasounds, bone density scans, mammograms, CT scans, MRIs, ECGs, etc.
- Treat acute infections and issues like cold/flu, UTIs, ear infections, etc.
- Refer patients to specialists.
- Provide notes, fill out forms.
There are so many benefits to having these skilled professionals available to help the community. “Our Nurse Practitioners are helping bridge the gap to improve access to quality health care. They are able to manage chronic illness, provide preventive care and help when unexpected health issues arise,” says Amelia Chapman, Clinical Manager.
“Our Nurse Practitioners lessen the burden on the ER at our local hospital. They are assisting patients to get quality care they deserve not having a primary care provider. Our Nurse Practitioners are kind, compassionate and love helping out our community. They have been a great addition to our pharmacy team!”
How you can access the Nurse Practitioner clinic:
Urban Square I.D.A. Drug Mart Clinic
197 Trunk Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
705-759-4818
Wellington Square I.D.A. Drug Mart Clinic
625 Trunk Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
705-945-8088
Pine Shores I.D.A. Drug Mart Clinic
2771 ON-17, Goulais River, ON
705-649-6393
Market Mall I.D.A. Pharmacy Clinic
275 Second Line W, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
705-450-1121
Queenstown I.D.A. Drug Mart Clinic
302 Queen Street East, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
705-949-7331
Who is eligible to visit the clinic:
The I.D.A Drug Marts Nurse Practitioner Clinic is owned and operated by I.D.A. and is paid for by I.D.A. Drug Marts Sault Ste. Marie. Nurse Practitioners are unable to bill the Ontario Government, per the Canada Health Act, therefore, similar to our free delivery service, this service is reserved for I.D.A. patients only.
I.D.A. has 6 locations throughout Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma. For more information, follow the stores on Facebook or Instagram.
*Our locations are not affiliated with Merrett’s Pharmacy or the Group Health Centre I.D.A. on McNabb Street.