Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Moms and Dads Rethink MMR Vaccine in Texas Measles Outbreak

The measles outbreak in Texas is spreading, just as many public health officials had anticipated, and now many parents—who had previously opted out—are making appointments for measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines for their children, according to local health officials speaking to NBC. A mobile unit stationed outside of emergency departments in the affected areas is currently offering measles testing and vaccines. Kids who were previously unvaccinated accounted for about half of the MMR shots provided at the …

Semaglutide Compounding Must End, Market Forces Set to Shift

Compounding pharmacies and telehealth companies will ultimately need to stop producing their versions of semaglutide following the resolution of the short-term shortage of the manufacturer’s original brand drug product. Compounding pharmacies were previously allowed to create generic versions of the diabetes and weight loss drug due to supply issues, but with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now declaring the shortage over, production and sales must cease by April 22 for pharmacies and May 22 …

AFC Acquires 5 Physician One Urgent Care Centers

American Family Care announced its acquisition of 5 Physician One Urgent Care locations in the Boston area this week. The deal brings AFC’s total rooftops to 35 operating in Massachusetts and more than 400 across the United States. Meanwhile, the company has also added recent de novo sites with more in the pipeline. AFC has been backed by Lorient Capital since March 2024, and its clinical teams treat 4 million patients each year. Earlier this …

Patients Can Miss Critical Glucose Monitor Alerts, FDA Warns

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted an alert this month warning that patients who use continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, automated insulin dosing systems, and other diabetes devices are at risk of not receiving or not hearing audible alerts from their smartphones regarding their devices. A missed alert could possibly lead to severe hypoglycemia, severe hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and death, the agency says. Because apps for diabetes CGMs and other devices allow users …

Americans Don’t Trust Health Systems to Use AI Responsibly

An observational analysis published in JAMA Network Open examined the level of trust Americans have when it comes to health systems’ use of artificial intelligence (AI). Researchers conducted a national survey of 2,039 adults, analyzing factors that could influence their trust, including AI knowledge, health literacy, and experiences of discrimination in healthcare, using a 4-point Likert scale. The results indicate that most respondents have low trust in health systems to use AI responsibly (65.8%) or …

Emory Health Connects to CVS MinuteClinics in Georgia

Emory Healthcare Network has partnered with MinuteClinic at its 35 locations in Georgia. While the partnership seems to be focused on in-network health benefit coverage for members of the clinically integrated network’s insurance plan, according to the press release, the clinical teams in the MinuteClinic centers will also have access to communication and consultation with Emory clinicians through electronic medical record platforms. Undoubtedly the payoff will be a steady referral stream for Emory. New signage …

Florida Hospitals Sue UnitedHealth Over ED Payments

Several Florida hospitals are suing UnitedHealthcare claiming the mega-insurer systematically underpays for emergency services. The 17 hospitals involved in the suit allege that the insurer failed to pay them the reimbursement rate required by Florida law, as reported by WKMG. The claims at issue in the argument involve only Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace exchange products. Last September, University of Florida Health and UnitedHealthcare parted ways after those network contract negotiations failed. It’s a …

Doxy PEP Demonstrates Real-World Effectiveness

A study of 2,083 patients found that doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxy PEP) was highly effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a real-world setting. Conducted from April 2019 to July 2024 at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the study analyzed patient demographics, STI testing history, and doxy PEP use patterns. Nearly half of participants were aged 31–40, over half were White, and most (85.2%) were gay or bisexual men. Most were not diagnosed with …

CareFirst Acquires Rapid Relief Urgent Care in Kentucky

CareFirst Urgent Care has added 3 locations in Kentucky to its network through the acquisition of Rapid Relief Urgent Care. Updated signage, technology system transitions, and other improvements are planned, according to a company press release. Also with operations in Ohio and Nevada, CareFirst now expands its existing footprint to more than 40 locations. In Nevada, the company has a new center soon to open in the city of Henderson, but its largest market area …

More Measles Cases Expected in Texas Outbreak

A measles outbreak in Texas grew to 58 cases over the course of about a month as of February 18, 2025, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The first 2 cases were detected in January. As of this week, the vast majority of cases were reported in Gaines County. All but 4 cases involve either unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, according to the department, and confirmed cases are primarily …

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