Practice Management
Patients may rightly feel a sense of relief upon “getting over” a virus that has killed more than half a million Americans. That may dissipate as weeks—and months—go on with persistent symptoms that inhibit quality of life and raise the specter of ongoing illness, however. And new data published by JAMA Network now indicate that this problem may be much more widespread than previously understood. Fully three quarters of patients continue to have symptoms 6 …
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JUCM News has reported on niche urgent care practices that focus on pediatrics, women’s health, and even mental health in the past. As the industry continues to prove there are no limits to its adaptability, other specialized practices continue to emerge. One, in Reno, NV addresses the needs of pain patients who may find their options for care dwindling as pain clinics suffer the same downturn as many other settings in the midst of the …
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The excitement and optimism that erupt with every approval of a COVID-19 vaccine are tempered by the problematic system of distributing and administering those vaccines. The public is further frustrated and fearful that there is no “cure” for the virus. A new method of inhibiting symptoms and preventing spread within members of the same household may be on the horizon, however, according to a report presented recently at the (virtual) annual meeting of the Conference …
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Trinity Health is known as one of the largest Catholic healthcare delivery systems in the U.S., with a track record of operating hospitals and urgent care centers successfully both clinically and operationally. The larger markets where it has urgent care centers, cities such as Detroit, Hartford, Philadelphia, and Tampa, however, tend to be saturated with a multitude of urgent care operators, hindering Trinity’s potential to grow its urgent care footprint. That may change now that …
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It looks like it will be summer before the majority of Americans will have had a chance to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. By then, we’ll be nearing the end of celebration season, when families gather en masse to celebrate weddings, graduations, and other milestones. Last year’s galas were hampered by watered-down guest lists as responsible party planners sought to reduce the risk of hosting a super spreader event. Some urgent care centers see this challenge …
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Every iteration of COVID-19 tests has been celebrated as a significant step forward in curbing the pandemic and helping the country inch back closer to “normal” life. What if one variety of test proved to be a hindrance to that effort, though? The College of American Pathologists is the latest group to raise concerns that COVID-19 tests administered at home by patients or family members may not be as accurate as those conducted in the …
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has instituted a course correction regarding reimbursement for COVID-19 vaccination. As of March 15, CMS has increased the amount from approximately $28 to $40 for the single-dose vaccine and approximately $45 to $80 for those requiring the two-dose schedule. CMS says the decision to increase reimbursement reflects the growing body of information about the actual costs involved in administering the vaccine across different settings by an array of …
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As we’ve reported, there seems to be confusion among the public regarding when it’s relatively safe to interact with others after being vaccinated against COVID-19. The consensus among public health officials has been that the vaccine reaches optimal protection against the virus 14 days after administration. However, recently there have been reports of breakthrough cases occurring beyond that window. While patients who’ve tested positive more than 2 weeks after getting the vaccine have been asymptomatic, …
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At a couple of points over the past year as the country (and the world) struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been brief moments of triumph. One was when tests became widely available. Another was when the first vaccines were approved. Those moments were also marked with the disappointment that urgent care was not looked at as part of the solution, in either case. Now that urgent care centers are, for the most part, …
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As more Americans get the COVID-19 vaccine, there’s a growing body of data on what after-effects patients are likely to experience—some of which may be so concerning to them that they visit your urgent care center. Recognizing those concerns, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published patient-friendly guidance on what can be expected post-shot, as well as self-care recommendations and advice on when it makes sense to see a healthcare provider. Pain, redness, …
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