A walk-in medical clinic has opened in Longs Drugs in the 'Ewa Town Center, and a similar facility will open at Longs in the Town Center of Mililani tomorrow.

The clinics, operated by Access Medical Clinics, offer basic health services such as the treatment of colds, infections, sprains, rashes and strep throat. With open hours extended through the evening, they're designed to serve patients who, for example, may not be able to get an appointment immediately with their doctor.

"Many times we're seeing people that have tried to get an appointment with their family doctor that day and could not get in, and it might not be a problem that actually belongs in the emergency room," said Raymond Thompson, a clinic physician. "We're happy to take care of those acute-care kind of problems."

The clinic in the 'Ewa Longs opened about two weeks ago and is tucked in the back of the store next to the pharmacy. The roughly 280-square-foot facility — in space leased by Longs — has two examining rooms. The Mililani location will be virtually identical.

The independent clinics — open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday through Saturday — will be run by physicians who will see patients as well as oversee physician assistants and nurse practitioners. No appointments are needed; services will be on a walk-in basis.

Most patients are insured, although the clinic also accepts cash payments, with the average cost about $65, Thompson said.

Access Medical Clinics was formed last year by Todd Kubo, a physician at Straub Kaneohe Family Health Center, and Raymond Bihis, a registered nurse who is the healthcare services manager for University Health Alliance.

Kubo stressed that the clinics are meant for acute-care needs only and are not meant to replace the patient's regular doctor. Visit records are faxed to the patient's regular physician, and patients are encouraged to follow up with their own doctor, Thompson said. Clinic patients may fill their prescriptions at Longs or other pharmacies.

At least some shoppers at the 'Ewa Longs yesterday appeared to know little about the clinic but welcomed the service.

"People can get here faster ... instead of going all the way" to their doctor, said 'Ewa Beach resident Horace Dudoit, adding that sometimes the doctor may be booked for the day. "I probably would try (the clinic) if I needed to get in right away."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.