The Effect of Computer Use in the Exam Room on Patient Satisfaction in Urgent Care
Urgent Message: The use of a computer in the urgent care examination room does not significantly impact patient satisfaction. As such, clinicians can use medical technologies in the exam room while maintaining confidence in the clinician-patient relationship. Justin Bowles, MD; Mitchell Lopes, MS4; Chaya Pflugeisen, MSc, MEd Keywords: electronic health records; physician-patient relations; patient satisfaction; ambulatory care facilities; communication; surveys and questionnaires Abstract Objectives: Primary care literature has shown that the use of technology in the examination room does not impact patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to …
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Demographic and Clinical Predictors of Rib Fracture, Complication, and Follow-up Among Patients With Rib Injuries Presenting to Urgent Care
Urgent Message: This retrospective cross-sectional study found more than one-third of patients who presented to urgent care with rib injuries had rib fractures. Rib fracture was associated with male sex, older age, Spanish-speaking status, White race, and abnormal vital signs. Rebeka Sultana, MBBS; Kristin Breslin, MPH; Abigail Steiner, MS, MPH; Douglas B. Richardson, MAS; Lindsey E. Fish, MD Keywords: rib fracture; urgent care; chest wall trauma; pneumothorax; hemothorax; health disparities; logistic regression Research Supplemental Abstract Introduction: Patients with rib injuries and fractures commonly present to acute care. Evidence from emergency …
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An Evaluation of Unnecessary Prophylactic Antibiotics For Clean Lacerations
Urgent Message: Prophylactic antibiotic prescribing for patients with clean lacerations is a common but unnecessary practice. Rates of prescribing did not differ based on type of provider or physician specialty in this study of 20 urgent care centers. Michael Smart, PhD; Jennifer Bush, MSN, APRN, FNP-C/ENP-C Keywords: antimicrobial stewardship; prophylactic antibiotics; laceration repair; urgent care Abstract Background: Oral prophylactic antibiotics for clean lacerations that require suture repair are commonly prescribed when they are unneeded. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of this practice in the urgent care setting. Methods: This …
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Increased Incidence of Pneumonia in Pediatric Urgent Care
Urgent Message: Pediatric after‑hours care clinics experienced a significant rise in radiographically confirmed pneumonia over a 2‑year period, paralleling national increases in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. Morgan McBee, MD; Leslie Spence, MD; Jeanne Hill, MD; Leah S. McBee, MD Keywords: pediatrics; community-acquired pneumonia; mycoplasma pneumonia; after-hours care; radiography, thoracic Abstract Introduction: Pediatric community-acquired pneumonia typically occurs at a rate of approximately 20 visits per 1,000 children in the population. Multiple reports and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have highlighted a rise in Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases across …
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The Impact of Parental Pressure on Providers Practicing in Pediatric Urgent Care
Urgent Message: Pediatric urgent care providers commonly experience pressure to satisfy parental expectations, which may alter clinical decision making, increase stress levels, and/or impart barriers to administering quality care. Keywords: parental pressure; antibiotic prescribing; shared decision-making; pediatric urgent care; patient satisfaction; clinical decision-making Daniel Moscato, MS, PA-C; Sara Winter, MS, PA-C Abstract Background: Patient-centered care focuses on strengthening patient participation in their own healthcare. Although advantages to such care exist, intended shared decision making between providers and their patients has been paradoxically documented to impart negative impacts on the providers …
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