Practice Management
Urgent message: Most burn injuries can be handled in an outpatient setting—if they are classified accurately, treated appropriately, and referred to a regional burn center when indicated. TRACEY QUAIL DAVIDOFF, MD A “burn” is defined as a traumatic, thermal injury to the skin and deeper structures. Some or all of the cells of the skin can be destroyed not only by heat but also by cold, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Burns are the third-leading cause …
Read MoreUrgent message: Although free air in the mediastinum is generally a benign, self-limited condition, most patients should be admitted to the hospital and observed for signs of serious complications, which could be fatal. By Tracey Quail Davidoff, MD A previously healthy 17-year-old male presents to urgent care with a one-week complaint of sore throat, fever, and nasal congestion. On the last day, he had experienced sharp chest pain, which worsened with deep inspiration, swallowing, and …
Read MoreA 62-year-old female presents to the urgent care center with a three-week history of a pruritic facial rash that initiated on one cheek, then spread to the rest of the face. The patient states the rash got worse after sun exposure. Initially, she self-treated with cold cream, Eucerin, and other over-the-counter moisturizers that did not help. Eventually, the patient tried a topical hydrocortisone cream that made the rash much worse. You note there is no …
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