Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Differentiating Acute Conjunctivitis Presentations in Children

Urgent message: Make the distinction between viral and bacterial conjunctivitis to ensure children receive appropriate treatment and to avoid the negative consequences of antibiotic overuse. Julian P. Ponsetto MD, Momoko K. Ponsetto MD Download the article PDF Here Citation: Ponsetto JP, Ponsetto MK. Differentiating acute conjunctivitis presentations in children. J Urgent Care Med. 2023;17(11):15-20. Infectious conjunctivitis or “pink eye” is common in the pediatric population, accounting for 2.7% of diagnoses in pediatric urgent care.1 However, …

Headache and Paranoid Delusions: A Case Report of Missed Neurocysticercosis

Urgent Message: Headaches are common, but when patients present with concurrent psychiatric symptoms, seizures, and signs of increased intracranial pressure, clinical teams might consider asking about recent travel to assess for possible neurocysticercosis. Naail Tariq, Cavan Scheetz, Michael Weinstock, MD Download the article PDF Here Citation: Tariq N, Scheetz C, Weinstock M. Headache and Paranoid Delusions: A Case Report of Missed Neurocysticercosis. J Urgent Care Med. 2023;17(X);31-34. Abstract Introduction Headache is a common urgent care …

When a Bleeding Hemorrhoid Is a Sign of Something More Sinister

Urgent Message: An expanded list of differential diagnoses can help clinicians identify when isolated bleeding is related to a more serious condition, as was the situation with this case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Download the article PDF Here Naushair Hussain, MD, Ahmad Ali, MD, Michael B. Weinstock, MD Citation: Hussain N, Ahmad A, Weinstock M. When a Bleeding Hemorrhoid Is a Sign of Something More Sinister. J of Urgent Care Med. 2023;17(X); 35-37 Key words: …

Abstracts in Urgent Care – October 2023

Which Sample is More Accurate for STIs: Vaginal or Urine? Take Home Point: Vaginal swabs are the optimal sample type for women being evaluated for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and/or trichomoniasis. Citation: Aaron K, Griner S, Footman A, et. al. Vaginal Swab vs Urine for Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis: A Meta-Analysis Ann Fam Med. 2023 Mar-Apr;21(2):172-179. doi: 10.1370/afm.2942 Relevance: Many sexually transmitted infections (STI) are asymptomatic in women and can have serious …

Cold Air For Croup Isn’t an Old Wives’ Tale

Results from a randomized controlled trial presented in Pediatrics indicates that exposing children with laryngotracheobronchitis/acute viral laryngotracheitis to cold, outdoor air (<10°C or <50°F) can be beneficial in reducing symptoms when used as an adjunct to oral dexamethasone. Children in the trial were aged 3 months to 10 years and were seen in a tertiary pediatric emergency department, where they received a single dose of 0.6 mg/kg oral dexamethasone. The group of patients who were …

Supine Blood Pressure Reading Has Advantages

Preliminary research presented by the American Heart Association at its hypertension scientific sessions this week in Boston suggests that measuring blood pressure while a person is lying down may be a better predictor of heart health than typical readings when a patient is sitting. Researchers analyzed data from a long-running study and found that supine blood pressure readings were more effective at predicting strokes, serious heart issues, and by comparison. The study’s 11,369 participants were …

As COVID Cases Rise, Home Tests Are Questioned

Urgent care centers across the United States are treating a rising number of COVID-19 cases, even among patients who say they tested negative at home. Nick Karr, MD, CEO and founder of Citra Urgent Care, noted as many as 20% of patients seeking care at the company’s seven locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, area, are testing positive, as reported by Fox 4. Texas had a 32% week-over-week increase in cases recently with hospitalizations rising …

Consider Follow-Up Screening for Hypertension Among COVID-19 Patients

A retrospective study of 45,000 patient records presented in Hypertension found an association between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the development of hypertension among adults who had no past history of high blood pressure. It’s unknown if the virus could be triggering the development of hypertension or worsening preexisting hypertension, according to the study’s lead author. But the association is significant. Among the records, 21% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 developed high blood pressure. By comparison, only 16% …

Skewed Pulse Oximeter Readings Delayed Care For Patients With Darker Skin

Research presented in JAMA Network Open found that pulse oximeters more commonly overestimated arterial oxygen saturation for Black and Hispanic patients hospitalized with COVID-19 when compared with White patients. Blood oxygen levels were measured with fingertip pulse oximeters, followed by a blood draw. Researchers found Black patients were nearly 50% more likely than White patients to experience undetected low blood-oxygen saturation. Hispanic patients were 18% more likely to experience an issue. The overestimation was associated …

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 …