Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Flu Season Off To Early Start

Early-season flu activity is currently higher than typically observed at this time of year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) weekly update. Because every season has some variation, the early start isn’t especially unique. For the week ending October 10, 2026, CDC notes 2.1% of outpatient visits were for respiratory illness. Separately, a national wastewater dashboard shows a high concentration of influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 present in wastewater testing as of …

Utah Expands AI Prescription Pilots Despite Concerns

Utah is expanding its testing of AI as a tool for prescribing medications with the possibility that some test programs could eventually allow prescriptions to be ordered by AI autonomously without direct clinician involvement. Last week, the state’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy approved several new pilots, including a program that could allow prescriptions for dermatology drugs to be written based on a dermatology app that assesses acne through patient-provided photos. Initially, physicians will review …

New Efforts Aim To Support Testing, Treatment For Syphilis

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced a $4 million initiative to expand access to rapid, point-of-care syphilis testing, including in emergency departments and other healthcare settings where testing is typically not part of routine care. Congenital syphilis cases have increased for 12 consecutive years, with nearly 4,000 cases reported in 2024, representing a nearly 700% increase over the past decade, according to HHS. In 2023, congenital syphilis contributed to 279 stillbirths …

Injuries Increase As More E-Bikes Hit The Streets

There is strong evidence that e-bike injuries have increased in the United States, particularly injuries resulting in emergency department visits. A JAMA Network Open analysis found that e-bike injuries increased by more than 99% annually from 2017 to 2022, while conventional bicycle injuries did not increase significantly. Additionally, a more recent post from the Colorado Sun notes that clinicians at Children’s Hospital Colorado are seeing increases in serious trauma—particularly traumatic brain and facial injuries—associated with …

Medical Leaders: AI Decisions Are Not Superior To Clinician Experience

Recently, the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Physicians, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association issued a joint statement expressing concern about perceptions that AI is “inherently better informed than physicians or that physicians cannot be trusted to make clinical decisions without first consulting this technology.” The groups say their organizations are not rejecting AI in medicine per se. Instead, they …

Cancer Incidence Inches Up, But Survival Is Improving

The latest annual report on cancer from a collaboration of cancer organizations shows a mixed picture. While incidence is edging upward overall, cancer mortality continues to decline. During 2018–2019 and 2021–2022 study periods, cancer incidence was higher among men than women (504.6 vs 443.0 cases per 100,000). For males, the top 5 types of cancer by incidence are: 1. prostate cancer; 2. lung and bronchus cancer; 3. colorectal cancer; 4. urinary bladder cancer; and 5. …

Prisma Acquires 36 Novant Health Urgent Cares

Prisma Health has announced plans to acquire 36 urgent care rooftops in South Carolina from Novant Health, which until about a year ago were branded as Doctors Care clinics. After the transaction, expected to close November 1, 2026, the centers will operate under the Prisma Health Urgent Care name. Virtual and walk-in care will continue, including respiratory testing, x-rays, and laboratory services, according to the announcement. Echoing the national trend of hospital-owned urgent cares, the …

Nominations Open For Limelight Staff Excellence Award

The Urgent Care Association (UCA) and Experity are partnering to co-present the Limelight Award for Staff Excellence. Created to honor an exceptional frontline professional whose contributions represent the very best of urgent care, this Limelight Award is more than a recognition. It is an industry honor presented by the top leadership organizations deeply invested in the people, progress, and future of urgent care. Nominations highlight frontline professionals as the individuals who go above and beyond …

More Animal Encounters Raise Concern For Rabies Exposure

Several states are experiencing a combination of unique human-and-wildlife encounters and highly publicized events involving potential rabies exposures from those animals. In Michigan, for example, statewide reporting confirmed positive tests for 47 rabid bats and 1 rabid skunk through September 3—mostly related to animals that were found in family homes. Recently, an urgent care in Traverse City, Michigan, has started offering post-exposure rabies treatment to improve access to care and help patients avoid the emergency …

CUCM Begins Work on First Urgent Care NP Certification

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board has confirmed a petition to begin development of the first Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner Certification, through a process led by the College of Urgent Care Medicine (CUCM). In September, a panel of selected urgent care nurse practitioner clinicians and leaders will meet in Las Vegas to begin the foundational work of identifying the knowledge domains, establishing practice standards, and outlining the blueprint for what will ultimately become …

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