Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Where to Find Current Information on Change Health Cyberattack Remedies

The Department of Health and Human Services is monitoring the ongoing fallout from the Change Healthcare cyberattack and has launched a dynamic website that will be updated as information emerges. In addition, Change Healthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group (UHG), is now essentially tasked with sending out the required HIPAA breach notifications to patients and completing related administrative requirements on behalf of any provider that was affected. Federal officials at the Office for Civil Rights ruled …

CDC Ramps up H5N1 Surveillance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked state health officials to keep up with flu surveillance over the summer to watch for human-to-human spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus, according to CIDRAP. Flu surveillance generally wanes during the warmer months when there are fewer seasonal flu virus cases. H5N1 vaccines exist, but the nation is far from ready for a full-scale national vaccine program should the virus become a widespread health …

County Questions CA Hospital’s Closure of UC Clinic

Sonoma Specialty Hospital in Sebastopol, California, just 5 years ago was facing bankruptcy, but a sale helped to keep the facility’s doors open while also adding inpatient beds. However, the hospital’s current owner, American Advanced Management, has not made good on its obligation to operate an urgent care (UC) center to serve patients after the closure of the original hospital’s emergency department. Sonoma County is now seeking $1.3 million in loan repayment from the owners …

Nevada Doc Launches Mobile Pediatric Care

A pediatrician hit the road recently with Incredicare, a mobile pediatric urgent care that serves 4 communities in the Las Vegas area. Incredicare was founded by Robert Wilkinson, MD, a dual-boarded physician in general pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine who serves as the medical director of the pediatric emergency department at Summerlin Hospital. Four nurse practitioners also see patients in the colorful mobile clinic vehicle that’s decorated with a cartoon bear. Services include the typical …

Program Seeks Clever Cyberattack Patches for Health Devices

Federal leaders are increasing their efforts to address healthcare cyberattacks, hard on the heels of the recent Change Healthcare and Ascension breeches. A $50 million program was announced this week to encourage the development of practical tech tools that would effectively disconnect healthcare devices such as heart monitors and electrocardiogram machines when needed then fix the weakness before bringing the machines back online. The aim is to identify vulnerabilities and customize patches that could be …

Ascension Wrestling With Cyberattack

Ascension Healthcare, with 140 hospitals and more than 50 urgent cares in 19 states, was impacted by a cyberattack earlier this month, forcing ambulances to divert and pharmacies to shut down. The system disconnected from its Epic EHR, which caused long emergency department wait times and care delays. Ascension has not given a timeline for when its systems will be fully restored, according to Healthcare Dive on its cyberattack state-by-state tracker. How much: When Change …

Keeping an Eye on the H5N1 Virus

The H5N1 avian flu virus is spreading in dairy cows across the country, however, the risk of human-to-human transmission is rare. Because the virus is spreading so rapidly, scientists are considering wastewater sampling for surveillance, according to CIDRAP. Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center researchers reported 19 of 23 monitored wastewater sites had at least 1 result of H5N1 detected in wastewater from March 4 to April 25. It’s …

DOJ Launches Healthcare Monopoly Task Force

Last week, the Justice Department developed a new task force focused on healthcare monopolies, which will be tasked with investigating industry market consolidation, workforce issues, quality of care, access, and data management, according to a press release. Department officials are increasingly concerned about consolidation in healthcare. For example, the recent Change Health cyberattack shed new light on the size and reach of UnitedHealth Group and its many arms—including the Optum line of business that is …

Promote Urgent Care Awareness Month With UCA Toolkit

The Urgent Care Association (UCA) is promoting Urgent Care Awareness Month to call attention to the important role urgent care has as a valuable segment in the healthcare ecosystem. Legislators, community leaders, and consumers need to know everything UC contributes, especially the widespread access issues that UC can help resolve. UCA has a collection of Awareness Month resources that any UC organization can use. What’s in the bag? Download a sample news release, 3 choices …