Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

NSAIDs in Urgent Care and Emergency Departments: A Narrative Review

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 …

Using Urgent-Care-Based Telemedicine to Increase Primary Care Referrals: A Quality Improvement Project

Urgent Message: A quality improvement project demonstrated increased referral rates to primary care from an urgent care telemedicine service line for those who did not have a primary care provider. Brianna Woodruff, DNP, ARNP, FNP-C; Khara’ A. Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC Citation: Woodruff B, Jefferson K. Using Urgent-Care-Based Telemedicine to Increase Primary Care Referrals: A Quality Improvement Project. J Urgent Care Med. 2024; 18(5): 40-47. Key words: Effective care, primary care referral, telemedicine, urgent …

Pediatric Knowledge Needs Assessment: A Pilot Study

Urgent Message: Pediatric emergency medicine researchers have an opportunity to enhance collaboration with general emergency medicine and acute care clinicians to bridge the gap between research and dissemination of evidence-based care recommendations. Bashar S. Shihabuddin, MD, MS, FAAP, FACEP; Jessica Fritter, MACPR, ACRP-CP; Charmaine B. Lo, PhD MPH; Rachel Stanley MD, MHSA; Michael Weinstock, MD Citation: Shihabuddin B, Fritter J, Lo C, Stanley R, Weinstock M. Pediatric Knowledge Needs Assessment: A Pilot Study. J Urgent …

Real-World Validation of Rapid PCR Strep Testing in Urgent Care

Urgent Message: The diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis is often difficult. Rapid polymerase chain reaction testing has potential to improve diagnostic certainty. Despite high accuracy rates, many urgent care providers continue to seek confirmation by throat culture. Justin Bowles, MD, Supreet Ghumman, MS4 Citation: Bowles J, Ghumman S. Real world validation of rapid PCR strep testing in urgent care. J Urgent Care Med. 2023;18(2):15-21 Key Words: bacterial pharyngitis; PCR testing Abstract Introduction: Point-of-care polymerase chain reaction …

Improving Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients

Urgent message: The treatment of acute otitis media is a common problem throughout healthcare. Many national provider organizations have emphasized the significance of proper diagnosis and treatment is essential for a full, uncomplicated recovery. Jessica M. Crandall, DNP, ARNP-FNP-BC and Misty Schwartz, PhD, RN Citation: Crandall JM, Schwartz M. Improving adherence to clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute otitis media in pediatric patients. J Urgent Care Med. 2023;17(11):25-34. Download the article PDF: Improving …

A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Management of Urinary Tract Infections in a System of Pediatric Urgent Care Centers

Urgent message: Urinary tract infection is a common diagnosis in pediatric urgent care. As such, efforts must be made to ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary and to decrease the rate of unnecessary prescribing. Benjamin Klick, MD; Tammy Speerhas, DNP, FNP-C; Jessica Parrott, DNP, CPNP-PC, CNE; Jeffrey Bobrowitz, MD; Anne McEvoy, MD; Debra Conrad, MD, Jade Eves, PA-C; Theresa Guins, MD Citation: Klick B, Speerhas T, Parrott J, Bobrowitz J, McEvoy A, Conrad D, …

Assessing Urgent Care Clinics’ Readiness to Manage a Lip Laceration

Urgent message: Lacerations are a common reason for patients to present to urgent care. Data suggest not all providers are comfortable managing lacerations, however. Clinicians who need additional training should be afforded such in order to reduce acuity degradation and unnecessary referrals to the emergency room. David T. Ford, MD; Patrick M. O’Malley, MD; and Brantley Dick, MD Citation: Ford DT, O’Malley PM, Dick B. Assessing Urgent Care Clinics’ Readiness to manage a lip laceration. …

Evaluating Abandonment of Urgent Care Prescriptions Sent to an Automated Drug Dispenser vs a Community Pharmacy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Urgent message: Urgent care and emergency department visits focus on acute clinical conditions, with an emphasis on timely administration of medications. Patients discharged outside the typical service hours of a community pharmacy may not have access to a 24-hour pharmacy and have to return home without their prescription medication, creating additional barriers to prescription adherence for patients. Emilie M. Collongette, PharmD, BCMTMS; Sara Panella, PharmD, BCPS; Michael A. DeCoske, PharmD, BCPS; Ernesto Sanz Martinez, MD …

Negative RADT and Bacterial Growth on Throat Culture

Kristin Hrabowy, DO; Jenna Santiago-Wickey, DO; Brianna Promutico, DO; Godwin Dogbey, PhD; and Elizabeth Gignac, DO, FACOEP Urgent message: “Sore throat” is among the most common presenting complaints in the urgent care setting. Accurate diagnosis—including appropriate use of diagnostic tools—is essential to ensure timely, appropriate treatment, including appropriate utilization of antibiotic agents to minimize risk for antibiotic resistance. Citation: Hrabowy K, Santiago-Wickey J, Promutico B, Dogbey B, Gignac E. Negative RADT and bacterial growth on …

Retrospective Study on the Impact of Increased Value-Add Time on Patient Experience in Pediatric Urgent Care Centers

Urgent message: Increase in the proportion of value-add time during an encounter was associated with an increased rate of positive perceptions of timeliness and overall patient experience in pediatric urgent care centers. Aimy Patel, MD; Brian R. Lee, MPH, PhD; Amanda Montalbano, MD, MPH; and Amanda Nedved, MD Citation: Patel A, Lee BR, Montalbano A, Nedved A. Retrospective study on the impact of increased value-add time on patient experience in pediatric urgent care centers. J …