Practice Management
A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests that simultaneously test for multiple causes of a rash may show false positives for measles in children who recently had a dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. About approximately 5% of kids experience a rash 7–10 days after the MMR shot. A study of 1,548 syndromic PCR panels from the Tennessee Department of Health found 14 children …
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The share of the procedures provided in urgent care (UC) centers submitted on commercial insurance claims grew 207% from 2013 to 2022, according to an in-depth index report from nonprofit claims-data analysis organization FAIR Health. Teasing out single-year growth, utilization of urgent care centers increased 43% from 2021 to 2022. Growth of these “claim lines”—essentially individual procedures listed on insurance claims—echoes the robust growth in the number of urgent care clinics serving the nation overall, …
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Here at the Urgent Care Association (UCA), we often used to ask ourselves, “Is this a UCA thing or a College thing or a Foundation thing?” Over the past few years of talking to all of you, I learned that we were not the only ones asking this question. When you build a house, over the years, you may add on a fantastic new sunroom, then an expansive extra bedroom, and then maybe you remodel …
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Urgent Message: This narrative review of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) characterizes the specific evidence-based indications, previous studies on dosing and route, and side effects of these medications. It supports NSAIDs as an important class of medications in the management of acute pain in urgent care and emergency settings. Campbell Belisle Haley, MD; Andy T. Hsueh, MD; Chih-Hsuan Chen, MD; Ariana M. Nelson, MD Citation: Belisle Haley C, Hsueh AT, Chen CH, Nelson A. NSAIDs in …
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David Hourani, MD; Bradley M. Golden, DO; Daniel McCollum, MD; John R. Barrett, MD Urgent Message: Mistaking traumatic facial paralysis for Bell’s palsy can delay treatment and have lifelong consequences. Prompt imaging and otolaryngology consultation are critical in determining disposition and management. Citation: Hourani D, Golden BM, McCollum D, Barrett JR. Delayed-Onset Facial Nerve Palsy Following Post-Auricular Gunshot Wound: A Case Report. J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 18(x):13-16. Keywords: facial nerve palsy; cranial nerve VII …
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A 38-year-old man present to urgent care complaining of pain around his entire pelvis after a fall on a slippery floor at home. Imaging is obtained. Review the image taken and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case is described on the following page.
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A 21-year-old man presents to urgent care concerned about a painless blackish lesion that had developed on his left heel. On examination, a stippled, deeply violaceous, blackish patch with overlying scale was seen on his plantar heel. He had no history of dermatological disease but mentioned he played in a basketball tournament last week. View the image above and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case is described on …
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A 61-year-old male presents to urgent care complaining of light-headedness. The patient has a medical history of hypertension and recently started metoprolol. View the ECG captured above and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case is described on the next page.
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A compilation of 2022 and 2023 de novo urgent care center data shows a 7% decline in new locations: from 1,651 de novo centers in 2022 to 1,540 in 2023. A “de novo” center is a new urgent care location where services were not offered previously. The unit of measure is the physical site, meaning if an existing location already in operation happened to change ownership, such change is not counted as de novo growth. …
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Rehabilitation in Post-Acute Anterior Shoulder Dislocation Take Home Point: This study suggests that routinely referring patients to a program of physical therapy is not superior to a single session of advice, supporting materials, and option to self-refer to physical therapy. Citation: Kearney R, Ellard D, Parsons H, et. al. Acute rehabilitation following traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation (ARTISAN): pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2024 Jan 17:384: e076925. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076925. Relevance: Shoulder dislocations commonly present to …
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