Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Failing to Follow Proper Protocols Could Bring Headaches—and Affect Patient Outcomes

Failing to Follow Consultation Protocols Could Bring Headaches—and Affect Patient Outcomes An urgent care provider in Chillicothe, OH has been flagged by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Inspector General allegedly for failing to follow the prescribed consultation process. Per a post by EHR Intelligence, the OIG claims that the provider intended for a patient with a T12 vertebrae compression fracture to receive chiropractic care at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) clinic. …

New Data Continue to Debunk COVID Vaccine Mis- and Disinformation

One of the more persistent baseless “warnings” about vaccination against the COVID-19 virus has been that getting the shot increases risk for (or even causes) myocarditis and other cardiological issues. JUCM Readers know that while early studies tended to contradict each other, ultimately the myocarditis myth has been busted. Now a new paper published by Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reveals that patients are more likely to develop cardiac complications in general after SARS-CoV-2 than …

Urgent Care Centers Can Reduce ED Referrals for CT Scans in Mild Head Injury with Integration of Brain Activity Biomarker

Urgent message: Referrals to the ED for CT scans were reduced when urgent care providers combined clinical judgement with EEG-based structural injury biomarker results. Such reductions could relieve the burden of referrals to EDs, minimize unnecessary radiation risk, yield better patient experience, and foster to potential cost savings. Tanvir Dara MD, FACEP; Elizabeth McCarty MD; Paul Meredith MD; Robert Mooney MD; David Porzio MD; and Alvaro Zeballos MD Citation: Dara T, McCarty E, Meredith P, …

Pediatric Elbow Fractures: A Clinical Review

Urgent message: Though the most common fracture seen in pediatric trauma patients, elbow fractures can be difficult to identify in younger patients. Familiarity with elbow anatomy, ossification centers, and fracture patterns is essential for optimal outcomes. Amy Grover, MD CASE VIGNETTE A 7-year-old previously healthy female presents to urgent care with a chief complaint of left elbow pain after a fall on outstretched arm. She had immediate pain, swelling and difficulty moving her arm. Her …

Patients May Be Nervous, but the Monkeypox Hype Is Overblown (at Least for Now)

As the world continues cautious steps toward normalcy and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, a new virus is capturing its attention. In this country, national newspapers and television news programs have breathlessly relayed mounting cases of monkeypox, likely eliciting concerns that may be out of proportion to actual danger among patients—at least for now. What’s known is that new cases have been reported in 16 countries, including the United States. In response, the Centers for …

Spring Sees More Growth in the Urgent Care Marketplace

Hot on the heels of news that Piedmont Urgent Care by Wellstreet is acquiring SmartCare Medical Group comes another development reflecting the ongoing robust growth in the urgent care industry: Next Level Urgent Care says it’s going to open 20 new locations throughout the remainder of 2022, including its first outside of Houston. That will nearly double its current location count (24). Just as significant in terms of urgent care’s standing as a distinct practice …

‘Epidemic’ Diabetes Has Forced Changes in Screening Guidelines. What Is Urgent Care Doing?

As noted in an article just published by JAMA Network, unchecked spread has put prediabetes and diabetes at “epidemic levels” in the United States. With the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force having lowered the age at which it’s advisable to start screening patients to 35, this begs the question as to whether it’s time for urgent care centers to become more proactive in assessing patients for diabetes. While too-high blood sugar is often an incidental …

The Urgent Care Community Mourns a Loss

The Urgent Care Association sent word to its membership that Armando Samaniego, MD, MBA, current UCA president, died suddenly on Saturday, May 21. Noting his commitment to establishing UCA’s Commission on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as his service as a member, board member, and leader, the Association called Dr. Samaniego “selfless, generous, extremely caring, and a true advocate for the urgent care community.” Dr. Samaniego earned his MD from Harvard Medical School and …

Piedmont Is Digging Deeper Roots in Georgia with SmartCare Acquisition

Piedmont Urgent Care by Wellstreet is beefing up its presence in Georgia by acquiring SmartCare Medical Group. The move will add 10 locations to Piedmont’s portfolio of 47 urgent care centers, including two communities where Piedmont had not had a presence previously, and 25 QuickCare locations. The company also operates numerous primary care and specialty practices. Piedmont has said there are no plans to reduce the existing workforce at any of the locations.

Think Three Shots Are Enough Protection Against COVID-19? Think Again

Even patients who accept that vaccination and boosters are effective in reducing risk for COVID-19 infection may be getting complacent, whether they’ve dodged infection so far or not. However, data published by the New England Journal of Medicine based on the cases of 1.25 million people 60 years of age and older in Israel confirm that a fourth dose of vaccine really does confer more protection against the virus than three doses. The results amplify …