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Walgreens bus' trained medical technicians familiarize the interested public about their free health screenings. These screenings are regularly scheduled at various locations.
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Gail Goodson has her blood pressure taken by Cecile, an extensively trained technician with the Walgreens Health Care Tour Bus.
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Take Care
By Suzy Paluzzi
A long bright bus attracted attention in the parking lot in front of Walgreen’s on 2012 El Camino Real in Santa Clara on July 13 th. In the front, was a table with complimentary bags of products like toothpaste and Tylenol.
It turns out this was one of the sites for Walgreen’s nationwide TakeCare Health Tour. The vehicle is equipped with machinery and technicians to offer free health screenings.
The screenings include cholesterol level, blood pressure, bone density, glucose level, and waist circumference and body mass index. The value of these tests is over $115 and no appointment is required. Educational material is also available in two languages.
Jeff, one of the medical technicians, testifies that the technicians are extensively trained.
And some of the technicians already have a medical background. Cecile, for example, is a nurse’s assistant and phlebotomist, which is a trained person who can take blood for testing. In this case, the blood work merely involves a quick finger stick, which is hardly felt. The technicians are also fluent in four languages, according to Jeff. They are German, Japanese, Spanish, English, and dialects of Filipino.
“The type of machines we have here allow us to give people the results immediately afterwards. All the tests are done within ten minutes,” Jeff says. “Clients are surprised that it takes 20 to 25 minutes total for all the tests and the results,” adds William, the assistant manager.
“We don’t diagnose but offer a health assessment,” Jeff explains. Still, the glucose test, for example, has informed some of the clients that they are prone to diabetes and they didn’t even know that beforehand. Diabetes can prove to be serious if left untreated.
“Walgreen’s started this service fours years ago with one bus. It was done as research to determine who was most in need of affordable health care. Now there are ten vehicles traveling throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Many people don’t have health insurance. This is a health awareness campaign and Walgreen’s wants to give back to the community,” Jeff comments.
This was the first time for Liz Kashishian, Santa Claran, to use the Walgreen’s screening. “We waited outside first in a shady spot and inside here is air-conditioned. The technicians are very helpful and this is a convenient service. We drove up to shop, saw this and so we are doing it,” she says.
You should Take Care too. The vehicles will be in the surrounding area until July 28th.
