Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Postpartum Presentations: When Risk Arises After Delivery – Shortness of Breath

Urgent Message: Shortness of breath presentations for postpartum patients in urgent care should prompt consideration of venous thromboembolism or peripartum cardiomyopathy, or more benign conditions like deconditioning, bronchitis, or anxiety. Alexa Bailey, DO; Lauren Kostandaras, DO; Hannah Poorman, BS; Michael Weinstock, MD; Catherine Neal, DO. Key Words: Shortness Of Breath, Postpartum, Venous Thromboembolism, VTE, Deep Vein Thrombosis, DVT, Pulmonary Embolism, PE, Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Editor’s Note: The patient case scenario is hypothetical. Abstract Background: The postpartum …

Join Me and Contribute to JUCM

It is an absolute honor and pleasure to serve as the new Editor In Chief of The Journal of Urgent Care Medicine (JUCM). To begin, I want to thank Joshua Russell, MD, for his incredible work with the journal over the last 5 years. His effort, dedication, and endless hard work have forever changed the direction of JUCM and shaped its future. It is my sincere hope to continue his impactful work by publishing meaningful …

42-Year-Old With Facial Injury

A 42-year-old man presents to urgent care on a Sunday afternoon. He explains that he was playing a game of pick-up football in his neighborhood and suffered a rough kick to the face from another player. His nose is swollen, and he’s clearly in pain. An x-ray is ordered to capture a lateral view of the nasal bones. Review the image and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case …

56-Year-Old With Episodes of Chest Pain

A 56-year-old female with no past medical history presents to urgent care with 2 episodes of chest pain that woke her up this morning. She had 2 additional episodes while walking and while bathing earlier in the day. The episodes lasted about 10 minutes each, and she is currently free from chest pain. The pain is pressure-like and left-sided, radiating to her back. An ECG is obtained. View the ECG and consider what your diagnosis …

3-Week-Old With Scaly Skin Rash

A 3-week-old girl presents to urgent care with widespread scaly skin. On physical examination, her vital signs are normal. She is noted to have ectropion and large, thick, plate-like scales covering most of her body. The patient had a personal history of prematurity and collodion membrane at birth. There is no family history of dermatological or genetic disorders. View the image below and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of …

Blocking the Pain: Nerve Block in the Treatment of Headache in Urgent Care

Urgent Message: Although greater occipital nerve block has demonstrated positive effectiveness and few risks as a treatment for acute headache, it is not commonly used. With more familiarity, urgent care clinicians may consider it a useful treatment modality. Elizabeth Reynolds, PA-C, MS Key Words: Migraine, Headaches, Nerve Block Abstract Headaches are a common presentation in urgent care clinics. Various medication options are available but can sometimes be limited for use due to allergies, side effects, …

Ruptured Baker Cyst is an Uncommon Complication of a Common Diagnosis: A Case Report

Urgent Message: Rupture of a Baker cyst is a rare complication and may manifest with the classic crescent sign of ecchymosis and swelling over the medial malleolus. Given the similarities in presentation to acute deep vein thrombosis, it is essential for urgent care clinicians to be able to differentiate between these diagnoses. Caroline S. Mifsud, DO, MS; Jennifer Ganzhorn, MD; Michael B. Weinstock, MD; Gregory M. Garrison, MD, MS, FAAFP; Elizabeth Westby, MD Keywords: Baker …

Abstracts in Urgent Care – July/August 2025

AI Performs Well in Virtual Urgent Care Visits Take Home Point: This study indicates that an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm was better at adhering to clinical guidelines and identifying critical red flags during virtual urgent care (UC) consultations, while physicians were better at adapting recommendations to changing information obtained during a patient consultation. Citation: Zeltzer D, Kugler Z, Hayat L, et al. Comparison of Initial Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Final Physician Recommendations in AI-Assisted Virtual …

Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: An Overview of Testing for the Urgent Care Clinician

Urgent Message: Polymerase chain reaction testing is recommended for patients with lesions that could represent herpes simplex virus infection. It is imperative that urgent care clinicians understand the utility and characteristics of such testing as well as the implications of findings. Brittney Tice, FNP, DNP; Joseph Something, PA; Benjamin Zimmerman, PhD Editor’s Note: The patient case scenario is hypothetical. Abstract In the urgent care (UC) setting, patients commonly present with nominal requests for herpes simplex …

13-Year-Old With Inversion Injury

A 13-year-old boy presents to urgent care after “rolling” his left foot. He explains that he tripped on a cement curb while riding his skateboard. He has foot and ankle pain that is worse with weight. An x-ray is ordered. Review the image and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case is described on the following page.

« Previous

Login to JUCM