Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

COVID-19 Testing Pattern in a Suburban Pediatric Urgent Care Center

Urgent message: Though not considered as at “at risk” for severe disease with COVID-19, children have suffered significant disruptions to educational and personal activities throughout the pandemic. Recognizing urgent care’s role in testing for the virus could show benefit for families and urgent care centers alike. Rita P. Nunag, MD; Francesca M. Darquea, MD; Claire Loiselle; and Magdy W. Attia, MD Citation: Nunag RP, Darquea FM, Loiselle C, Attia MW. COVID-19 testing pattern in a …

Assessing the Rate at which Pacemaker and Defibrillator Patients Present to the Emergency Room with their Manufacturer ID Card: A Cross Sectional Study

Urgent message: Care can be delayed if an urgent care or emergency clinician attempts to interrogate the CIED of a patient who does not know their device manufacturer and does not carry their ID card. This scenario illustrates the importance of patient education in care centers, such as the emergency department and urgent care. Tinh M. Le; James F. Neuenschwander, MD, FACEP; Mary Jones, DNP; Ankur Parekh; Hana Le; Kaitlyn Cedoz; and Clark Daugherty ABSTRACT …

Discrepancy Rates in Radiograph Interpretations between Pediatric Urgent Care Providers and Radiologists

Urgent message: Many pediatric urgent care centers lack 24/7 pediatric radiologist coverage and rely on the urgent care provider for initial interpretation and subsequent clinical management. If misdiagnosed, this could represent a potential patient safety concern. Allison Wood, DO; Anne McEvoy, MD; Paul Mullan, MD, MPH; Lauren Paluch, MPA, PA-C; Brynn Sheehan, PhD; Jiangtao Luo, PhD; Turaj Vazifedan, DHSc; Theresa Guins, MD; Jeffrey Bobrowitz, MD; and Joel Clingenpeel, MD Citation: Wood A, McEvoy A, Mullan …

Active COVID-19 Infection Is Indicated by WBC ≤7.0 and PLT ≤200 at Presentation

Yijung Russell, MD; Casey Collier, MD; Steve Christos, DO; and Shu B. Chan MD, MS Citation: Russell Y, Collier C, Christos S, Chan SB. Active COVID-19 infection is indicated by WBC 7.0 and PLT 200 at presentation. J Urgent Care Med. 2021;15(10):35-38. Introduction The impact coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has had on individuals, businesses, and governments is unprecedented in many ways. Though widespread and frequent screening is recommended for better containment,1 limited availability of …

The Implementation of Nurse-Intiated Ankle and Foot X-rays in an Urgent Care Setting

Urgent message: Nurse-initiated protocols (NIPs) have been found to be beneficial in emergency department settings. Nurse-initiated x-rays for ankle and foot injuries can reduce patients’ length of stay while improving staff satisfaction. Utilization of NIPs in an urgent care setting can bring positive benefits to patients, staff, and the organization. Allison Usset Gilles, DNP, FNP-C, RN; Der Xiong, DNP, FNP-C, RN; and Jenny A. Prochnow, DNP, MBA, RN INTRODUCTION Background Overcrowding and long wait times …

Implementing Clinical Practice Guidelines in Adults with Hypertension: An Effective Practice Change in Urgent Care

Urgent message: Too often, patients first learn that they have hypertension secondary to an unrelated presenting complaint—often, in the urgent care setting. Improving adherence to treatment guidelines may improve management and, ultimately, outcomes. Jennifer Iacovo, DNP, APRN, FNP-C; Bonni Cohen, PhDc, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, FNP-C, CHFN, CNE, FAANP; and Judith Butler, DNP, CNM, WHNP, CNE Abstract Background: There are approximately 100 million adults in the U. S. with hypertension (HTN); almost half go undiagnosed. The …

A Novel Method for Blinding Reviewers to Gender of Proceduralists for the Purposes of Gender Bias Research

Urgent message Gender bias, whether overt or subconscious, may be to blame for disparities in hiring practices, salary, and advancement in medical schools, the urgent care setting, and any healthcare workplace. Recognizing the value of gender-neutral assessment may not only “even the playing field,” but increase the likelihood of identifying the best candidates for clinical positions. Michael Pallaci, DO; Jennifer Beck-Esmay, MD; Adam R. Aluisio, MD, MSc; Michael Weinstock, MD; Allen Frye, NP; Ashley See, …

Prolonged Duration of Pediatric COVID-19

Urgent Message: Many Institutions have established guidelines regarding when individuals can return to their regular activities after recovering from COVID-19. Where children and schools are concerned, it’s unclear what the role of testing is (or should be). Katharine Miao, MD, FACEP; Frank Illuzzi, MD, FACEP, CPE; and Alexander Hwang Citation: Miao K, Illuzzi F, Hwang A. Prolonged duration of pediatric COVID-19. J Urgent Care Med. 2021;15(5):23-25. Introduction Since the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus within …

Original Research: Early Diabetes Screening in the Urgent Care, Part 1

Urgent message: Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus affects more than 9 million Americans. This first part of a two-part article focuses on evaluation of diabetes screening for the adult urgent care patient in whom diabetes has not been diagnosed, using effective early disease-detection strategies to reduce the long-term burden of diabetes. How this article helps you: by providing data to assist you in deciding about screening in your center. Introduction There are now more than …