Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Fast Track Improves Patient Flow and Wait Times in the Pediatric Urgent Care: A Quality Improvement Project

Urgent Message: Fast trackmodels aim to improve patient throughput metrics for low-acuity patients. In this quality improvement project, a process for fast track in the pediatric urgent care significantly improved patient flow. Hayley L. Ross, MD; Sandra P. Spencer, MD; Traci Ertle, MSN, RN, CPEN; Anthony Watkins, MSN, RN, NE-BC; Mark Feldman, MD; Derrek Massanari, MD, MPH; Bernadette Johnson, MD; Alexandria J. Wiersma, MD Citation: Ross HL, Spencer SP, Ertle T, Watkins A, Feldman M, …

Influence of Clinical Setting on Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Acute Otitis Media in Children at an Urban Academic Medical Center

Urgent Message: This retrospective chart review study found that the odds of children receiving an antibiotic prescription for acute otitis media in urgent care and the emergency department were significantly higher compared to a primary care setting. Further research is needed to better understand factors contributing to higher antibiotic prescribing rates in acute care settings. Angelica M. Mangahas, BS; Heather M. Weinreich, MD, MPH; Johanna Wickemeyer, MD; Margaret Schmit MD; Rakhi Thambi, MD, MBA Citation: …

Pediatric Knowledge Needs Assessment: A Pilot Study

Urgent Message: Pediatric emergency medicine researchers have an opportunity to enhance collaboration with general emergency medicine and acute care clinicians to bridge the gap between research and dissemination of evidence-based care recommendations. Bashar S. Shihabuddin, MD, MS, FAAP, FACEP; Jessica Fritter, MACPR, ACRP-CP; Charmaine B. Lo, PhD MPH; Rachel Stanley MD, MHSA; Michael Weinstock, MD Citation: Shihabuddin B, Fritter J, Lo C, Stanley R, Weinstock M. Pediatric Knowledge Needs Assessment: A Pilot Study. J Urgent …

Real-World Validation of Rapid PCR Strep Testing in Urgent Care

Urgent Message: The diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis is often difficult. Rapid polymerase chain reaction testing has potential to improve diagnostic certainty. Despite high accuracy rates, many urgent care providers continue to seek confirmation by throat culture. Justin Bowles, MD, Supreet Ghumman, MS4 Citation: Bowles J, Ghumman S. Real world validation of rapid PCR strep testing in urgent care. J Urgent Care Med. 2023;18(2):15-21 Key Words: bacterial pharyngitis; PCR testing Abstract Introduction: Point-of-care polymerase chain reaction …

Improving Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Acute Otitis Media in Pediatric Patients

Urgent message: The treatment of acute otitis media is a common problem throughout healthcare. Many national provider organizations have emphasized the significance of proper diagnosis and treatment is essential for a full, uncomplicated recovery. Jessica M. Crandall, DNP, ARNP-FNP-BC and Misty Schwartz, PhD, RN Citation: Crandall JM, Schwartz M. Improving adherence to clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of acute otitis media in pediatric patients. J Urgent Care Med. 2023;17(11):25-34. Click Here to download the …

A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Management of Urinary Tract Infections in a System of Pediatric Urgent Care Centers

Click Here to download the article PDF Urgent message: Urinary tract infection is a common diagnosis in pediatric urgent care. As such, efforts must be made to ensure antibiotics are prescribed only when necessary and to decrease the rate of unnecessary prescribing. Benjamin Klick, MD; Tammy Speerhas, DNP, FNP-C; Jessica Parrott, DNP, CPNP-PC, CNE; Jeffrey Bobrowitz, MD; Anne McEvoy, MD; Debra Conrad, MD, Jade Eves, PA-C; Theresa Guins, MD Citation: Klick B, Speerhas T, Parrott …

Assessing Urgent Care Clinics’ Readiness to Manage a Lip Laceration

Click Here to download the PDF. Urgent message: Lacerations are a common reason for patients to present to urgent care. Data suggest not all providers are comfortable managing lacerations, however. Clinicians who need additional training should be afforded such in order to reduce acuity degradation and unnecessary referrals to the emergency room. David T. Ford, MD; Patrick M. O’Malley, MD; and Brantley Dick, MD Citation: Ford DT, O’Malley PM, Dick B. Assessing Urgent Care Clinics’ …

Evaluating Abandonment of Urgent Care Prescriptions Sent to an Automated Drug Dispenser vs a Community Pharmacy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Urgent message: Urgent care and emergency department visits focus on acute clinical conditions, with an emphasis on timely administration of medications. Patients discharged outside the typical service hours of a community pharmacy may not have access to a 24-hour pharmacy and have to return home without their prescription medication, creating additional barriers to prescription adherence for patients. Emilie M. Collongette, PharmD, BCMTMS; Sara Panella, PharmD, BCPS; Michael A. DeCoske, PharmD, BCPS; Ernesto Sanz Martinez, MD …

Retrospective Study on the Impact of Increased Value-Add Time on Patient Experience in Pediatric Urgent Care Centers

Urgent message: Increase in the proportion of value-add time during an encounter was associated with an increased rate of positive perceptions of timeliness and overall patient experience in pediatric urgent care centers. Aimy Patel, MD; Brian R. Lee, MPH, PhD; Amanda Montalbano, MD, MPH; and Amanda Nedved, MD Citation: Patel A, Lee BR, Montalbano A, Nedved A. Retrospective study on the impact of increased value-add time on patient experience in pediatric urgent care centers. J …

A Comparison of Chief Complaints, Specific Diagnoses, and Demographics of Pediatric Urgent Care Visits Before and During the COVID- 19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study

Zaharoula A. Viennas, MD; Julie Martin, MAEd, MMS, PA-C; Benjamin Klick, MD; Tammy Speerhas, DNP, FNP-C, RN, CEN, CME; Turaj Vazifedan, DHSc; Danielle Millspaugh, DNP, FNP-C; Jennifer Ferris, MD; Margret Bedle, MD; Lauren Paluch, DMSc, PA-C; and Theresa Guins, MD Urgent message: Research has shown distinct differences in patterns of children presenting to emergency rooms during COVID-related lockdowns. However, data specific to urgent care have been lacking previously. Citation: Viennas ZA, Martin J, Klick B, …

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