Practice Management
Cases of whooping cough have surged in 2024, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting at least 15,661 cases in the United States through September 21, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels. Preliminary data shows that about 5 times as many cases have been reported compared to last year, according to CDC. Pennsylvania recorded the highest number of cases at 2,087, followed by New York with 1,781. Public health experts are concerned …
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that was designed to require state approval for healthcare merger and acquisition deals involving private investors. The scrutiny was meant to increase oversight of private equity and hedge fund ownership transactions that have the potential to lead to consolidations and closures of healthcare provider operations. However, it’s important to note the reason behind the veto. Newsom reasoned that California has an existing Office of Health Care Affordability …
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Healthcare workers receiving a COVID-19 booster vaccine had a 45% lower risk of having symptoms 6 weeks after infection, as published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. From December 2021 to April 2022 (during the omicron period), workers who had COVID-19 and had also received a 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose had a lower prevalence of any symptoms compared to those who did not have a 3rd dose when measured at 6 weeks post-infection (adjusted odds ratio …
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Healthcare data statistics tracked by HIPAA Journal demonstrate a steady rise in breaches in the 14 years since the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) began publishing records. As of September 24, 2024, more than 490 breaches have been reported for the year. Reportable breaches, which only include incidents involving 500 or more health records, have been tracked by OCR since 2009, when just 18 breaches were recorded. From 2009 …
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is actively looking at multiple indicators to monitor for avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses, including looking for spread of the virus to or among humans. It’s especially concerning since Missouri reported its first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in a patient who had significant underlying medical conditions but reported no exposure to animals—the typical source of such virus cases. The Missouri patient is the 14th human case …
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UMC Health System opened a new 24-hour urgent care (UC) in Lubbock, Texas, this month, and it’s a strong indicator of where growth trends may lead in 2025. While the UC market in general has gravitated to an 8AM to 8PM schedule, more extended-hours sites are emerging. Staffing remains the biggest challenge in this case, according to Alan A. Ayers, MBA, MAcc, President of Urgent Care Consultants and Senior Editor of The Journal of Urgent …
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Urgent Message: Rapid growth in the autism spectrum disorder services (ASD) sector may present an expansion opportunity for urgent care operators who take the initiative to develop the necessary infrastructure. Citation: Ayers A. ASD Services Fit With Existing UC Business Models, J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 19 (1): 33-36 As the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise—now affecting 1 in 36 children in the United States—demand for accessible services is greater than …
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Phyllis Dobberstein, CPC, CPMA, CPCO, CEMC, CCC We are heading into fall, and fall starts with updates to the ICD-10-CM codes. The most recent changes went into effect on October 1, 2024. There is no grace period. Because ICD-10-CM codes are date-specific, claims prior to date of service October 1, 2024, need to use the codes for that time period, switching over to the update on the exact day. While ICD-10-CM codes are updated semi-annually, …
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Urgent Message: Fractures of the distal radius, commonly referred to as Colles fractures, most often occur after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Their immediate urgent care management may require only splinting or a same day emergency department visit depending on certain factors. Citation: Bunstine JL, Hartz C. Urgent Care Diagnosis and Management of Distal Radial (Colles) Fractures. J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 19(1):15-19 Editor’s Note: While the images presented here are authentic, the patient …
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Public Perceptions of Artificial Intelligence Use in Healthcare Take Home Point: Patient and healthcare workers surveyed were generally accepting of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine. Respondents did express some concern about the potential impact of AI on the accuracy of medical decision-making, however. Citation: Thornton N, Binesmael A, Horton T, et al. AI in health care: what do the public and NHS staff think? The Health Foundation. Published July 31, 2024. Accessed …
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