Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

BayCare Pilots Robotic Blood-Draw Technology in Florida

BayCare Health System has announced plans to pilot a Food and Drug Administration -approved robotic blood-draw device at 2 of its outpatient locations in Florida beginning late next year. The 18- to 24-month pilot will allow patients aged 21 years and older to have the option of choosing robotic blood collection or traditional phlebotomy. A phlebotomist will remain present to oversee the robotic procedure, and laboratory personnel will manage device preparation, cleaning, and disposal, according …

Stressed Out Consumers Count on AI For Advice

A growing number of Americans are turning to AI for mental health guidance and emotional support as stress becomes an increasingly common part of daily life, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2026 Stress in America report. The findings are based on a survey of 3,132 U.S. adults conducted in July and August 2026. Among respondents, 60% reported that stress negatively affected their sleep, 56% cited effects on their mental or emotional well-being, and 51% …

States Allege OpenAI Fails To Adequately Protect Consumers

Attorneys general in Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and West Virginia have all filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI as part of a coordinated effort to question whether OpenAI has misled consumers into believing ChatGPT is safer and more medically reliable than it actually is. For example, Iowa is seeking financial penalties of up to $40,000 per Consumer Fraud Act violation, compensation for affected consumers, and court-ordered changes to OpenAI’s safety practices. It also …

States Adopt Varied AI Scribe Laws

Rhode Island recently became the first state with a law specifically aimed at ambient AI scribes, requiring disclosure to patients when scribes are used and provision of an opt-out process. State law also says the provider must review any AI-generated documentation for accuracy. Only a small number of states have enacted laws that specifically require healthcare providers to disclose the use of ambient AI tools during patient encounters. A few others rely on broader AI …

Physician Use of AI Increases As Confidence Grows

A new survey from the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Center for Digital Health and AI found that physician use of AI has increased substantially, with 81% reporting use in practice now compared with 38% in 2023. The average number of use cases per physician also rose from 1.1 to 2.3. Physicians say they most commonly use AI for research summarization and clinical documentation. Confidence in AI is increasing too, with more than 75% of surveyed …

Smart Technology Allows Tech Firms to Jump into Healthcare—for Better or Worse(?)

We look at the advent of smart technology as a window to closer contact with patients and more efficient, secure communication among providers and various healthcare stakeholders. It also opens a door for technology companies with no history in healthcare to suddenly become major disruptors. While it’s too soon to know whether that would be a good or bad thing for patients, there’s no question it makes some cogs in the supply chain nervous. If …

Beware Overly Intrusive Online Patient Check-In Systems

On the surface, offering online check-in sounds like a can’t-miss proposition that combines the organization of an appointment-based practice with the convenience of a walk-in system. As with most innovations that purport to solve all your problems in a given area, however, this option is not risk-free for urgent care operators who want to drive up visits while offering a better experience for their patients. According to a new article published on LinkedIn by Alan …

New App Helps Patients Choose Among Urgent Care and Other Care Settings

More choices can often lead to more indecision for patients who need same-day medical care. While many have gotten the message the emergency room should be reserved for emergencies, it’s still an option. Some insurers (like Anthem) are making it tough on patients who make the “wrong” decision by refusing to pick up the tab for some ED visits if they’re later deemed to have been nonemergent. A new app developed by a pair of …

Evolving Technology and Business Models Will Propel Virtual Care Market for Years

Whether web-, cloud-, or app-based, the virtual care market is expected to continue growing as technologies and business models keep evolving through at least 2027, according to a report form Persistence Market Research (PMR). Video applications (ie, via laptop, tablet, smartphones, and desktops) are expected to be more popular and prevalent than straight telephone communication or kiosks at employer sites, pharmacies, and hospitals. The shortage in primary care providers will also ensure that need grows …

Smartphone Diagnostics Could Make Telemedicine, Lab Testing More Accessible

Telemedicine is gaining traction in many walks of medicine, though some providers still may be concerned they don’t know how to get started. In addition, many practices are looking at ways to offer more tests on site. The next wave of smartphone capabilities could be the next step forward in both respects. Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a device capable of processing samples of blood, saliva, or urine remotely using the light …

« Previous

Login to JUCM