Practice Management
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 …
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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 …
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The Food and Drug Administration has approved a meningococcal ABCWY vaccine for use in individuals aged 10 to 25 years, according to a press release from manufacturer GSK. The vaccine targets 5 groups of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (A,B,C,W, and Y), which represent the most invasive meningococcal disease cases globally. The vaccine combines antigenic components of the meningococcal group B vaccine and meningococcal groups A, C, Y, and W-135 oligosaccharide diphtheria CRM197 conjugate vaccine. Trial …
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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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Longstanding financial and logistical challenges seem to be intensifying for rural-area providers, as evidenced by new data from consulting firm Chartis, which highlights that 46% of rural hospitals currently have negative operating margins and many of those are in danger of closing. In the past year, 18 rural hospitals closed or transitioned to provide only outpatient care. Of the 48 states that are home to rural hospitals, 38 have at least one hospital that is …
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The Louisiana Medicaid program has created an emergency department (ED) utilization-reduction pilot that will run for the next 6 months, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The program will identify ED “super-utilizers” in an effort to better align their access points with their health needs as appropriate. Acadian Health, a home-health provider, will deliver care to patients at home with urgent care mobile units, reimbursed by 6 local Medicaid managed care organizations—specifically encompassing 5 …
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Grocery chain Hy-Vee has become a joint owner of Exemplar Care, and the business line is now rebranded as Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care, according to a press release. Existing centers will be renamed to Hy-Vee Health Exemplar Care, offering direct primary care and 24/7 urgent care where available. The model is targeted to employer groups who provide their employees prepaid access to unlimited primary and urgent care through memberships. There are 4 existing clinics in …
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Hospitals and health systems are increasingly acquiring urgent care (UC) centers to further their brand presence in select markets and draw patients from UC into the systems’ many other service offerings. New competition from retail clinics and ongoing financial issues seem to be the motivators behind the deals, according to an analysis in Becker’s. A number of recent acquisitions are highlighted, including, for example, Community Health Systems’ purchase of 10 Carbon Health urgent care centers …
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Teladoc Health has agreed to acquire virtual preventive care provider Catapult Health for $65 million, including an additional $5 million in potential earnout payments, according to a press release. Originally launched as an on-site health checkup service for employers, Catapult shifted to virtual care in 2020, offering at-home diagnostic kits for blood tests, blood pressure readings, and other health and wellness screenings. The company serves hundreds of employers and reaches more than 3 million individuals. …
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A meta-analysis of 41 randomized clinical trials found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were as effective as ketamine and high-potency opioids for treating pediatric acute pain, while having fewer risks (N=4,935; median age 9.7 years). Researchers found all 3 drug categories outperformed placebo in treating that pain with at least moderate certainty. In the study, presented in JAMA Pediatrics, the reduction in pain severity was “modest” overall. Only NSAIDs reduced the need for rescue medication …
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