These data from the 2010 Urgent Care Benchmarking Survey are based on responses of 1,691 US urgent care centers; 32% were UCA members. The survey was limited to “full-fledged urgent care centers” accepting walk-ins during all hours of operation; having a licensed provider and x-ray and lab equipment on-site; the ability to administer IV fluids and perform minor procedures; and having minimal business hours of seven days per week, four hours per day. In this …
Read MoreNebulizer Supplies, Diltiazem IV, Influenza Vaccines with E/M Codes, and Critical Care Coding in Urgent Care
Q.I am using an EHR, but it does not seem to code nebulizer treatments correctly. It produces codes 94640 (nebulizer treatment) and J7620 (albuterol/ipra – tropium bromide), but it misses the codes for administration set, with small volume non-filtered pneumatic nebulizer, disposable (A7003) and tubing (A7011 ). Why is this? A.The administration set code (A7003) and tubing code (A7011) code are actually bundled into the code for the treatment (ie, they are included in 94640). …
Read MoreAbstracts in Urgent Care: November, 2011
Chinese Herbs Are as Efficient as Oseltamivir for Shortening Flu Symptoms Key point: Traditional Chinese herbal therapy resolves fever in influenza as quickly as oseltamivir. Citation: Wang C, Cao B, Liu Q-Q, et al. Oseltamivir compared with the Chinese traditional therapy maxingshigan-yinqiaosan in the treatment of H1N1 influenza: a randomized trial. Ann Int Med. 2011;155(4):217-225. Researchers studied some 400 adults and adolescents in 11 Chinese hospitals who had uncomplicated 2009 H1N1 influenza A. Patients, who …
Read MoreClinical Challenge: November, 2011
The patient, an otherwise healthy 45-year-old, has had a cough for a month. Location: left side of the chest. View the image taken (Figure 1) and consider what your diagnosis would be. Resolution of the case is described on the next page.
Read MoreAequanimitas*
“Thou must be like a promontory of the sea, against which, though the waves beat continually, yet it both itself stands, and about it are those swelling waves stilled and quieted.” —Marcus Aurelius It is important to reflect occasionally on where one’s path began inasmuch as we owe a debt to those who have advanced our current purpose, whether family, business, or profession. The goal of this reflection should hopefully include an appreciation of …
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A Better Way to Settle Malpractice Suits?
Urgent message: Mediation could produce better outcomes than litigation for patients and physicians—if doctors would only show up. CAROL B. LIEBMAN, JD Introduction A stomach pain is misdiagnosed as viral gastroenteritis. The patient ends up in the hospital for six days with complications from a ruptured appendix. A physician prescribes penicillin to a woman with clearly documented allergies, which leads to anaphylaxis and a day in the ICU. A severe headache is labeled a migraine; …
Read MoreWho’s Steering This Ship?
As a young discipline and industry, urgent care relies heavily on its organizational leaders to advance the political, academic, and developmental agendas that are in the best interest of their constituents. These leaders represent the face and voice of their members on the national stage. Needless to say, we cannot become dependent on the work and vision of a few to dictate the direction and activity of the whole. Member engagement and participation are paramount …
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STDs: Assessment and Treatment in Urgent Care
Urgent message: The patients most prone to sexually transmitted diseases are also mostly likely not to have a primary doctor. Many will turn to urgent care for help. THOMAS SUNSHINE, MD, FACOG As urgent care physicians, we often are presented with patients who are worried that they may have a sexually transmitted disease or infection (STD/I). The number of yearly visits is difficult to estimate because the diagnosis codes of the visits vary. The Center …
Read MoreWho’s Steering This Ship?
Lee A. Resnick, MD, FAAFP As a young discipline and industry, urgent care relies heavily on its organizational leaders to advance the political, academic, and developmental agendas that are in the best interest of their constituents. These leaders represent the face and voice of their members on the national stage. Needless to say, we cannot become dependent on the work and vision of a few to dictate the direction and activity of the whole. Member …
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32-year old experiences deforming blow to left thumb
This otherwise healthy 32-year-old patient fell during a soccer game, suffered a blow to the thumb of the left hand, and now has a deformity of that thumb. View the image taken and consider what your diagnosis and next steps would be. Click on the button below to see the resolution of the case.
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