Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Online Beauty Trend Has Clinical Application Too

Hypochlorous acid has gained sudden attention on social media lately where influencers and consumer skincare companies are promoting its benefits for conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. Products offered online have clever brand names with words like “magic molecule” and “beauty rescue,” which may have clinicians doubting the claims and raising concerns over their patients using the skin treatments. However, dermatologists interviewed by MedPage Today say that hypochlorous acid can help reduce skin inflammation, and …

Trends Show More Teens Prescribed Weight Loss Drugs

Use of semaglutide for weight loss among American teens is rising with new prescriptions increasing significantly, according to an analysis of 1.3 million electronic health records by Truveta and Reuters. The rate climbed from 9.9 prescriptions per 100,000 teens in 2023 to 14.8 in 2024. The average rate climbed further during the first 3 months of this year, reaching 17.3 new prescriptions per 100,000, according to Reuters. This growth also follows the American Academy of …

MMR Vaccine Rates Decline In 78% of U.S. Counties

The United States is witnessing a significant decline in vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) as reported across more than 2,000 counties, according to a study published in JAMA . Data covering the years 2019 through 2024 show that the county-level mean vaccination rate fell from 93.92% in the pre-pandemic years to 91.26% after the pandemic with 78% of counties reporting declining rates. Only 4 states reported increased rates of MMR vaccination during …

North Oaks Adds 2 Urgent Care Centers

In Louisiana, North Oaks Health System has acquired 2 new urgent care rooftops. By adding the former Lake After Hours Urgent Care centers to its network, North Oaks now has a total of 4 urgent cares, according to its website. The centers are open every day from 7AM to 8PM and accept most major insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and self-pay. System stats: With more than 3,000 employees, North Oaks is one of the area’s largest …

RSV Vaccine Effective For Older Adults

The real-world effectiveness of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination among U.S. adults aged 60 years and older during the 2023–2024 RSV season was found to be 75.1% (95% confidence interval, 73.6–76.4%), according to research published in JAMA Network Open. Vaccine effectiveness was evaluated against acute respiratory infection, urgent care or emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Among those 60 years and younger, the vaccine was 75.8% effective (73.2-78.1%) against urgent care or emergency department visits …

Cleveland Clinic Adjusts Its Prepayment Policy

In response to some public criticism, the Cleveland Clinic last week re-engineered a controversial policy that would have required patients to pay insurance co-pays upfront or risk having their appointments canceled on the spot. Initially set to begin June 1, the policy faced backlash from patient advocates and city officials, who warned the pay-first requirement could limit access to care for low-income families. The original pay-first policy excluded Medicaid and traditional Medicare enrollees as well …

Patients Wait Average of 31 Days For Appointments in Metro Areas

A recent survey reveals that scheduling a physician appointment now takes an average of 31 days—a 19% increase from 2022 and a 48% rise since 2004. Conducted in early 2025 by AMN Healthcare, the survey included 1,391 physician offices across 15 major U.S. metropolitan cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, focusing on 6 medical specialties. The findings highlight community challenges for patients looking to access timely care. Wait times vary by specialty. For …

Door Handles Won’t Give You The Flu: Simulation Study

During flu season, many people go out of their way to wash down high-touch surfaces at home, at work, and in schools, hoping to avoid the spread of germs. An experimental laboratory study published in Microbiology and Immunology that evaluated the risk of influenza transmission through contact with contaminated surfaces, however, found the risk of picking up the flu from touching door handles and other objects is actually quite low. Researchers in Japan simulated “artificial …

OTC Allergy Drugs Can Cause Severe Pruritus With Sudden Discontinuation

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now warning clinicians and healthcare consumers about a rare but severe side effect associated with stopping long-term use of oral allergy medicines cetirizine or levocetirizine. FDA reports that some patients ultimately develop severe pruritus that requires medical attention if they stop taking the medications, and the agency aims to update the prescribing information to raise awareness about the post-discontinuation risk. According to the FDA, pruritus symptoms resolved for …

Cases of Drug-Resistant Fungal Infection Cluster in a Few States

The deadly Candida auris fungus was first identified in the United States about 10 years ago and has proven to have strong drug-resistance, at times demonstrating resistance to all 3 main classes of antifungal medicines, including echinocandins. And cases appear to be on the rise. Of the 1,052 cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through April 26, 2025, a disproportionate number are occurring in Texas (241), Michigan (185), and Ohio (125). …

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