Take Note: Even Emergency Rooms Are Turning to Telemedicine to Cope with the Pandemic

Take Note: Even Emergency Rooms Are Turning to Telemedicine to Cope with the Pandemic

Adoption of telemedicine has been a controversial subject in urgent care. While some operators have seen its benefits by way of increasing access for patients—and, over the past few months, in reducing risk of COVID-19 transmission—others have expressed concern that patients may “self-diagnose” and demand prescriptions without the benefit of a full examination. Whichever camp you fall into, be aware that even emergency rooms are now experimenting with virtual care. Tenet Health Central Coast in …

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Children Sick with Something Other than COVID-19 Require Special Care During the Pandemic

Children Sick with Something Other than COVID-19 Require Special Care During the Pandemic

Your clinical team has had to adapt to a whole new way of administering care since the COVID-19 pandemic landed in the U.S.—and not just for patients with the virus. The highly infectious nature of the disease not only scared some patients into delaying care, but also forced urgent care operators (and all healtchcare professionals) to adapt the way they operate on a daily basis. It’s largely been a process of trial and error. Guidance …

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Urgent Care Operators Are Evolving in Response to the Pandemic

Urgent Care Operators Are Evolving in Response to the Pandemic

According to data from Experity, urgent care as a whole has come roaring back from several bleak months at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. However, there are some dire predictions that we could all be in for a second wallop with children returning to school and flu season approaching. Some urgent care operators are taking a hard look at why they suffered so during the first wave—and are taking steps to …

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Update: New Phase III Data Show 5 Days of Remdesivir May Improve COVID-19 Outcomes

Update: New Phase III Data Show 5 Days of Remdesivir May Improve COVID-19 Outcomes

We’ve cycled through any number of possible treatments for patients with COVID-19, some more likely to succeed than others. The latest regimen to show promise, according to an open-label, Phase III study just published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, is a 5-day course of remdesivir. The authors posit that it could significantly improve outcomes for patients with “moderate” COVID-19. The study’s population was 600 hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 and moderate COVID-19 pneumonia, …

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Not Up to Speed on New Workplace Protections? Then Neither Are Your Occ Med Clients!

Not Up to Speed on New Workplace Protections? Then Neither Are Your Occ Med Clients!

Virginia just joined a short list of states that are enacting legislation to help protect workers from exposure to COVID-19. Of course this is essential for all urgent care operators to know as employers, but the need is doubly great for those who offer occupational medicine services. In Virginia, some of the new rules fall in line with existing executive orders (such as requiring workers to wear a mask when adequate social distancing is impossible). …

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Another Urgent Warning from HHS: Emails Regarding Loan Relief May Be Phishing Attempts

Another Urgent Warning from HHS: Emails Regarding Loan Relief May Be Phishing Attempts

The National Government Services office issued yet another alert from the Department of Health and Human Services. This one concerns a new wave of phishing emails purported to be from the Small Business Administration, seeking private information regarding loan activity. NGS reports that the bogus emails, which spoof SBA’s loan relief webpage, include a malicious link. You can read the list of protective measures NGS advocates here. Ensure your team is aware of this threat, …

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Want to Protect Your Team? Enforce Universal Masking

Want to Protect Your Team? Enforce Universal Masking

It’s been established that viral load and frequency of exposure to infected individuals increases one’s risk of contracting COVID-19. This puts urgent care providers and other healthcare professionals at increased risk compared with nonclinicians who are able to limit contacts. A new study published online by the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that requiring patients to wear a mask offers significant protection to even those who are most likely to be exposed, supporting …

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Kids May Be Far More Capable Than Adults of Spreading COVID-19; Update Policies Accordingly

Kids May Be Far More Capable Than Adults of Spreading COVID-19; Update Policies Accordingly

Parents may feel conflicted about making their children wear a mask. They’re uncomfortable, it scares them, it’s uncool, and kids are just plain rebellious. But a new study published in the Journal of Pediatrics highlights that it’s essential not only for their protection as they start mingling more with peers, but your protection as well. The essential conclusion of the study is that some children carry very high viral loads—in fact, the study reports, “viral …

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Kids Do Seem Less Susceptible to COVID-19—Unless They Smoke E-Cigarettes

Kids Do Seem Less Susceptible to COVID-19—Unless They Smoke E-Cigarettes

While children are not immune to infection from COVID-19, so far it appears they’re less susceptible than adults. One risk factor that seems to negate whatever protection youth might offer: e-cigarette use. An article just published in the Journal of Adolescent Health reveals that adolescents who have ever used e-cigarettes are five times more likely than nonusers to receive a COVID-19 diagnosis. Kids who acknowledge using e-cigarettes within the past 30 days at the time …

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Retail Clinics Are Having a Hard Time Bouncing Back—with Some Going Virtual

Retail Clinics Are Having a Hard Time Bouncing Back—with Some Going Virtual

JUCM News readers know the urgent care industry took a pretty big hit in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re starting to come back strong, but retail clinics are having a harder time rebounding. RediClinic just announced it will close all 36 of its locations in Texas, in favor of expanding its telemedicine offerings for patients—for which they’re aligning with Rite Aid Virtual Care. Most of those locations were associated with H-E-B food …

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