Practice Management
A new study found a significant link between asthma, the use of bronchodilators, and rupture of abdominal aneurysms (AAA). The news underscores the importance of getting a thorough medical and medication history for patients presenting to urgent care with asthma-like symptoms. Researchers noted that asthma patients over age 50, in particular, appear to have an increased risk for AAA and sudden death from its rupture, with the risk going up with recent asthma activity. Further, …
Read MoreReconsidering antibiotics for COPD exacerbation Key point: Prescribing antibiotics to patients with mild-to-moderate COPD exacerbations who have no change in sputum probably is unnecessary. Citation: Miravitlles M, Moragas A, Hernandez S, et al. Is it possible to identify exacerbations of mild to moderate COPD that do not require antibiotic treatment? Chest. 2013;144(5): 1571-1577. The decision to prescribe antibiotics to patients with moderate to mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations is usually based on increased …
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Urgent message: Asthma is increasing in prevalence and so, too, presentations of asthma in ambulatory settings. Urgent care providers have an important role to play in identifying and treating acute asthma exacerbations, including providing a written asthma action plan at discharge to improve long-term outcome. BRADLEY M. TURNER MD, MPH, MHA, FCAP, FASCP and JANET M. WILLIAMS, MD, FACEP Patients often seek assistance in urgent care centers for acute presentations of asthma. This provides unique …
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Urgent message: though sometimes viewed as an easily controlled disease, asthma can become a medical emergency quickly. It is important for the urgent care clinician to be able to recognize the signs of a potentially life-threatening asthma exacerbation – and know how to treat it accordingly. Muhammad Waseem, MD, Nicholas Caputo, MD, Geeta Krishna, MD, Joel Gernsheimer, MD Introduction Asthma is an episodic and reversible airflow obstruction. It is the most common chronic disease in …
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