WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark Corp.’s MinuteClinic in-store health clinic subsidiary and Allina Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota and western Wisconsin have formed a partnership to enhance their health care services.

Under the alliance, MinuteClinic and Allina will align their clinical care operations, including medical oversight and informing patients of each parties’ services.

Plans also call for MinuteClinic and Allina to develop interfaces between their electronic medical records (EMR) systems to streamline communication around all aspects of a patient’s care, as well as explore the development of new services in the market, according to CVS Caremark.

"We are pleased to work with one of the leading hospital and clinic systems in the country to expand access to basic health care needs in the community and improve patient outcomes," MinuteClinic president and chief operating officer Andrew Sussman said in a statement. "Through this agreement, Allina physicians will serve as a valuable resource to our MinuteClinic nurse practitioners in the Twin Cities area. We also look forward to collaborating with Allina on information connectivity and a range of new services."

Allina is a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. It comprises 11 hospitals, 90-plus clinics, specialty care centers, and specialty medical services that provide hospice care, oxygen and home medical equipment, pharmacy, and emergency medical transportation services.

"This relationship brings two strong organizations together for one purpose: better care for our patients," commented Kenneth Paulus, Allina’s president and chief executive officer. "By coordinating care between the retail clinic setting and our clinics and hospitals, patients can feel confident that they will be well taken care of, whether they have a minor illness or something more serious."

MinuteClinic has about 500 retail health clinics nationwide and 24 locations in the Twin Cities area, most within CVS/pharmacy stores, CVS Caremark said.