Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

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 …

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 …

New 5-in-1 Meningococcal Vaccine Adds to Provider Options

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 …

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 …

Urgent Care Rises to Improve Rural Access to Care

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 …

Mobile Urgent Care Aims to Relieve ED Utilization

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 …

Exemplar Care Acquisition Furthers Hy-Vee Foothold in Healthcare

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 …