Stop Waiting For ‘AI-Native’ Clinicians, Invest in Upskilling Now
Urgent Message: Invest in artificial intelligence upskilling across your organization by dedicating resource time and funding for educational activities. It’s a critical strategy for urgent care operators to improve staff retention and operational readiness. Keywords: clinician upskilling; AI literacy; workflow adoption; clinical documentation; decision support; change management Burnout remains a serious consideration across healthcare, and urgent care is no exception. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we deliver and manage care. To retain and re-engage our people while preparing for the AI era, we have to …
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The Listening Revolution: Change Management Considerations with Ambient AI
Urgent Message: The ultimate goal of ambient AI is to reclaim time for patient care by offloading burdensome administrative processes. Building trust is the first of several success factors in this revolution. Keywords: ambient AI; medical scribe; clinical documentation; EHR workflow; implementation barriers; change management Alan A. Ayers, MBA, MAcc Urgent care providers face immense demands: high patient volumes, tight schedules, and the ongoing expectation to deliver exceptional care. Yet amid these pressures, documentation continues to consume valuable clinical time and energy—time that could be spent connecting with patients. According …
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Why IFU Limitations Matter in Urgent Care Lab Testing
Urgent Message: Urgent care teams can take practical steps to safeguard quality for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived testing by following detailed Instructions for Use information. Key Words: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments; CLIA-Waived Testing; Certificate of Waiver Cathy Bohrer, MT(ASCP) Laboratory tests commonly used in urgent care are only reliable when their Instructions for Use (IFU)—including any limitations—are followed. For urgent care leaders, this isn’t just about compliance with federal regulations. Patient outcomes, safety, and even a site’s Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived status depend on it. Because IFU limitations …
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Is Your Urgent Care Ready for the 2026 ADA Mandate?
Urgent Message: Urgent care facilities must ensure their medical diagnostic equipment and staff training protocols meet new ADA accessibility standards by the July 8, 2026, deadline. Key Words: Americans with Disabilities Act; Medical Diagnostic Equipment; Accessible Exam Tables; Staff Training; Urgent Care Compliance Alan A. Ayers, MBA, MAcc Ensuring equal access to healthcare services isn’t just a goal, it’s a legal mandate. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)1 assures everyone has equal access to healthcare by setting the necessary accessibility standards for medical facilities.2 Because nearly all urgent cares receive …
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The Case for a Generative AI Acceptable Use Policy in Urgent Care
Urgent Message: Banning generative artificial intelligence can create a culture of secretive use that presents potential risks for legal liability, clinical harm, and degradation of reputation. Key Words: Generative Artificial Intelligence; Protected Health Information; HIPAA; Clinical Decision-Making Across urgent care centers, many clinicians are experimenting with generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools. The trend is measurable, not anecdotal. The American Medical Association reports that 2 in 3 physicians used AI in 2024—a stunning rise from 38% in 2023—while Elsevier’s global Clinician of the Future 2025 survey finds nearly half of clinicians …
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