Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Abstracts in Urgent Care – November 2025

Validation of Clinical Predictive Rules in Pediatric Testicular Torsion Take Home Point: In this study, the Testicular Emergency Score for Torsion (TEST) identifies a larger group of patients at low risk for testicular torsion suitable for safe management without Doppler ultrasound compared to the other clinical validation scores. Citation: Valdivieso-Castro M, Vázquez-Gómez L, Olabarri M, et. al. Clinical Prediction Rules for Identifying Children With Testicular Torsion: A Multicenter Prospective Study. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2025 Aug …

60-Year-Old With Palpitations

A 60-year-old female presents to urgent care with palpitations that started abruptly 1 hour prior to arrival. She denies recent illness or cardiac history. An ECG is ordered. View the ECG and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Resolution of the case is described on the next page.

A 16-Year-Old Male With Rash to Legs, Altered Mental Status and Fever

A 16-year-old male presents to urgent care accompanied by his father due to acute onset of fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, altered mental status, and a lower-extremity rash. Symptoms began earlier the same day. The patient denies recent upper respiratory symptoms, medication use, travel, or trauma. On physical examination, he appears acutely ill and febrile to 103.1°F (39.5°C). Neurologic assessment reveals altered mental status. Dermatologic exam shows retiform, violaceous purpuric plaques with maroon borders on both …

Training Our Teams to Meet the Needs of Our Patients

Countless times over the last year I have heard variations on a “we can’t” theme. It’s a specific and focused “we can’t” related to the services we are not able to provide to our urgent care patients. “We can’t do that test.” “We can’t use that medication in clinic.” “We can’t have our medical assistants do that.” Sadly, it is purely a reflection of education and training. However, as opposed to responding with increased training …

COVID-19 Antiviral Prescribing In Urgent Care By Patient Ethnicity

Urgent Message: This study confirms variable prescription rates among different ethnicities in Aotearoa, New Zealand, for COVID-19 antiviral medication despite efforts to reduce health inequities. M. Adrianne Pimentel, MBChB, MHlthLd, FRNZCUC Key Words: Antiviral Prescribing, COVID-19, Comorbidity Abstract Introduction: In Aotearoa, New Zealand, COVID-19 disproportionately increased mortality and morbidity outcomes in Māori and Pacific patients. In an effort to counteract these health inequities, the government aimed to increase access to COVID-19 antiviral medication for Māori …

24-Year-Old Male Hand Pain After a Golf Game

A 24-year-old male patient presents to urgent care with right wrist pain that started while playing golf 2 days ago. The patient recalls swinging the club and hitting the ground rather than the ball, felt a sharp pain in his hand which has been constant since the incident. He has not tried any treatments at home. The provider notes increased pain when the patient flexes his hand, along with a weakened grip compared to the …

Back Pain From Vertebral Metastases in Prostate Cancer: A Case Report

Urgent Message: Persistent, non-mechanical back pain should raise suspicion for non-muscular causes, and in this case, such pain in an older man was related to a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer with bone involvement. Rimsha Afzal, MA; Gregory M. Thompson, MD Key Words: Vertebral Metastases; Metastatic Prostate Cancer; Urgent Care Diagnosis Abstract Introduction: Back pain is a common presentation in the urgent care center. While the majority of diagnoses are self-resolving and of a musculoskeletal …

Diagnosis and Management of Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon Avulsion (Jersey Finger)

Urgent Message: Forced hyperextension of a flexed digit may strain or rupture the flexor digitorum profundus tendon from the distal phalanx. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of acute injury are key in the prevention of permanent finger dysfunction. Alyssa Marchman, BS; Sarah Brouwer, BS; William Beauchamp, DO Key Words: Flexor Digitorum Profundus, Tendon Avulsion, Jersey Finger Questions for the Clinician at the Bedside: Editor’s Note: While the images presented here are authentic, the patient case scenarios …

Severe Iron Deficiency Anemia Presenting with Fever and Gastrointestinal Complaints: A Pediatric Case Report

Urgent Message: While the evaluation of a chief complaint is a priority in urgent care, recognition of chronic disease progression is also critical. Eliana H. Kim, DO; Aaron J. Maki, MD, PhD Key Words: Anemia, Iron Deficiency, Down Syndrome, Trisomy 21, Transfusion, Strep Throat, Case Report Abstract Introduction: Often the chief complaint is the primary focus of urgent care visits. However, it is important to consider other aspects of the patient’s health, especially in pediatric …

Abstracts in Urgent Care – October 2025

Cannabis Use and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Adults Take Home Point: This study suggests that cannabis use has a strong, statistically significant association with adverse cardiovascular outcomes independent of tobacco use. Citation: Jeffers A, Glantz S, Byers A, et. al. Association of Cannabis Use With Cardiovascular Outcomes Among US Adults. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 5;13(5):e030178. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.123.030178 Relevance: Animal studies have previously shown endothelial cell dysfunction, a precursor to endovascular disease, occurs with cannabis use. …

Login to JUCM