Practice Management
Urgent message: Response to a needlestick with potential for HIV exposure requires understanding of both state laws on HIV testing and the latest USPSTF guidelines for post-exposure management. MAYA HECK, MS-2 and JOHN SHUFELDT, MD, JD, MBA, FACEPTwo police officers arrive at your urgent care site with a handcuffed, bloodied prisoner. One officer tells you that the person in custody “spit on me” during the altercation. The officer goes on to tell you that the …
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Urgent message: Needlestick injuries are common and require a prompt response based on an understanding of the latest USPHS guidelines and informed consent and counseling of the patient. MAYA HECK, MS-2 and JOHN SHUFELDT, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP Your center is fortunate to contract with a variety of different business to provide employee health services. A local homeless shelter is one of the clients to whom your center provides new hire physicals, drug screens and …
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Urgent message: Tissue adhesives are quick, painless, and result in a good cosmetic outcome, making them well-suited for use to treat wounds in urgent care. SIMON TANKSLEY, M.D. Introduction Tissue adhesives are ideal for closing simple lacerations, especially on the face of children.1-3 Such repairs are quick, painless, and do not require removal of sutures. They are also excellent for treating large skin tears in the elderly (Figure 1) and particularly useful for thin, fragile …
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Urgent message: From pregnancy confirmation to the evaluation of bleeding, urgent care centers are often the initial location for management of obstetric-related issues. Careful use of evidence-based guidelines is the key to successful outcomes. DAVID N. JACKSON, MD, FACOG and PETAR PLANINIC, MD, FACOG Case Presentation Urgent care providers are called upon to manage a variety of complaints in pregnancy. Some conditions can be managed at the urgent care center whereas others require stabilization and …
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Urgent message: From pregnancy confirmation to the evaluation of bleeding, urgent care centers are often the initial location for management of obstetric issues. Careful use of evidence-based guidelines is the key to successful outcomes. DAVID N. JACKSON, MD, FACOG Introduction Although close to 160 million visits are made to urgent care providers each year in the United States, there are currently no prospective studies describing how pregnancy may initiate or complicate an urgent care consultation. …
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Urgent message: Knee pain is a diagnostic challenge for urgent care providers, but a strong understanding of the anatomy and potential etiologies will prepare them for success. CHRISTOPHER TANGEN, DO Approximately 10% of all urgent care visits are for musculoskeletal complaints and knee pain is a common such presentation. An urgent care provider’s approach is different than that of specialists because patients present with more acute cases, and therefore, the physician needs to consider a …
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Urgent message: To better evaluate and treat patients with low back pain, urgent care providers need a good understanding of the anatomy of the back and they must be vigilant for “red flags” that signal a potentially serious condition. SHAILENDRA K. SAXENA, MD, PHD, MIKAYLA SPANGLER, PHARM D, BCPS, and SANJEEV K. SHARMA, MD, MBA Introduction Acute low back pain is a common condition often seen by urgent care providers. An episode of acute low …
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Urgent message: Fever in pediatric patients, while frequent, is rarely the result of a serious illness. Urgent care practitioners must be able to consistently distinguish between serious and benign causes with a minimum of invasive testing. BRENDAN KILBANE, MD, FAAP Introduction Ever is one of the most common chief complaints in pediatric patients who present for urgent evaluation. A surprising number of families continue to suffer from “fever phobia,” with one study noting that 91% …
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Urgent message: With the increasing number of drugs on the market, patients are more and more likely to be taking multiple medications. Urgent care providers need to be alert for potential interactions when changing or adding to a patient’s drug therapy. MAYA HECK, MS1, and JOHN SHUFELDT, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP Consider This Patient Scenario:A 28-year-old woman who says she is a traveling nurse currently on an assignment at a nearby hospital presents to an …
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Urgent message: This article will guide you through the differential diagnosis, management and disposition of pediatric patients presenting with acute abdominal pain. KAYLEENE E. PAGÁN CORREA, MD, FAAP Introduction “My tummy hurts.” That is a simple statement that shows a common complaint from children who seek care in an urgent care or emergency department.1 But the diagnosis in such patients can be challenging for a clinician because of the diverse etiologies. Acute abdominal pain is …
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