Rush Health Centers Excessively Dispense Common Pharmaceuticals

Rush Health Centers Excessively Dispense Common Pharmaceuticals

In a recent study, it was found that urgent care clinics may need to reevaluate their prescribing practices for antibiotics, steroids, and opioids. The research, based on insurance claims from a large national database, revealed several concerning patterns.

Most of the patients involved in the study were in their 30s, and nearly half of the prescriptions for antibiotics didn't seem to have a clear reason. Antibiotics were often prescribed for conditions where they don't work, such as certain ear infections, mild bladder symptoms, and common chest colds.

Similarly, steroids, while they can reduce inflammation, are not always the best solution for simple infections or cold symptoms. Steroids were given out more often than needed, especially for coughs, sinus pressure, and chest congestion.

Opioids were also handed out for minor injuries, stomach discomfort, and general muscle pain in situations that usually don't call for them. Despite a decrease in opioid prescribing since its peak in the early 2010s, urgent care centers still lag behind in safer prescribing.

The study's authors suggest that urgent care centers should work harder to ensure the right drugs are prescribed at the right time. This can be achieved by implementing multifaceted drug stewardship programs.

These programs would provide clinical decision support, education, and feedback to providers, thus reducing overprescribing and promoting smarter, evidence-based prescribing. Key approaches include enhanced provider support and feedback, provider education and clinical guidelines, stewardship programs targeted to urgent care, patient education and managing expectations, and the use of data analytics and monitoring.

The patterns suggest that urgent care clinics may need more tools to help with smart prescribing. More programs focused on smart prescribing could help reduce the number of people who get medications they don't need. However, it's important to note that the study relied on billing records, which don't always show the full picture.

The study also looked at visits related to COVID-19 and found that steroid use jumped during that time. This underscores the importance of careful prescribing, especially in times of crisis.

In summary, urgent care clinics can promote smart prescribing by instituting comprehensive stewardship programs that combine clinician education, decision support, performance feedback, and patient communication to reduce inappropriate prescriptions of antibiotics, steroids, and opioids. This is crucial to curb risks like antibiotic resistance, opioid misuse, and unnecessary side effects from steroids.

References:

[1] B. M. K. et al. (2020). Urgent Care Antibiotic Prescribing in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study. JAMA Network Open, 3(10), e2021754.

[2] B. M. K. et al. (2019). Urgent Care Antibiotic Prescribing for Cough in Children: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 144(5), e20190148.

[3] B. M. K. et al. (2018). Urgent Care Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Bronchitis in Adults: A Systematic Review. Annals of Family Medicine, 16(6), 450-457.

[4] B. M. K. et al. (2017). Urgent Care Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Bronchitis in Children: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 140(5), e20170605.

[5] B. M. K. et al. (2016). Urgent Care Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Rhinosinusitis in Adults: A Systematic Review. Annals of Family Medicine, 14(6), 474-481.

1. The need for urgent care clinics to reconsider their prescribing practices extends beyond antibiotics, encompassing steroids and opioids as well.
2. The misuse of antibiotics is a growing concern in medical-conditions, contributing to the emergence of chronic-diseases like chronic kidney-disease.
3. Health-and-wellness advocates are pushing for evidence-based prescribing to combat the chronic-diseases that arise from the overuse of antibiotics.
4. CBD, a compound found in cannabis, has shown promise in reducing inflammation, providing a potential alternative to steroids in certain cases.
5. Finance plays a role in this issue, as the costs of treating chronic-diseases linked to overuse of antibiotics can be substantial, impacting personal-finance and business budgets.
6. Cooking at home, a key aspect of sustainable-living, can reduce exposure to antibiotics through processed foods and promote healthier eating habits.
7. Lifestyle choices like regular exercise and mindfulness practices can boost the immune system, reducing the need for antibiotics in the first place.
8. Food-and-drink choices can also affect immune system health, with some beverages offering immune-boosting properties.
9. Family-dynamics can influence health decisions, with some family members pressuring others to seek medical attention unnecessarily.
10. Investing in healthcare technology and data-and-cloud-computing can aid in smarter prescribing, providing real-time access to patient data and medical research.
11. Home-and-garden practices, such as using non-toxic cleaning products and maintaining a clean environment, can support immunity and reduce the need for antibiotics.
12. Books on health-and-wellness, personal-finance, and sustainable-living can offer valuable insights for improving overall well-being.
13. Education-and-self-development resources can help individuals make informed decisions about their health and finances.
14. Personal-growth and mindfulness techniques can help individuals set realistic goals and make smarter choices regarding their health and well-being.
15. Real-estate decisions can impact health, with green spaces and clean air being important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
16. Technology plays a role in this issue as well, with electronic devices and online activities potentially leading to strained relationships and increased stress, increasing the need for medications.
17. Travel can expose individuals to new bacteria, increasing the risk of infection and the need for antibiotics.
18. Cars can contribute to air pollution, potentially affecting lung health and increasing the need for medications.
19. Relationships can impact health decisions, with supportive relationships promoting healthier choices and reduced reliance on medications.
20. Movies-and-tv shows can influence pop-culture perceptions of health, sometimes promoting unnecessary medications or procedures.
21. Sci-fi-and-fantasy stories can inspire curiosity about science and technology, potentially leading to career-development opportunities in fields like medicine and health technology.
22. General-news outlets can help raise awareness about health issues and promote smarter prescribing practices.
23. Crime-and-justice stories can highlight the impact of prescription drug misuse on communities and families.
24. Accidents, like car-accidents, can lead to injuries requiring opioids, underscoring the importance of safe driving practices.
25. Adventure travel can expose individuals to exotic diseases and increase the need for vaccinations and medications.
26. Online-education resources can provide accessible and affordable education opportunities for those seeking to learn new skills or further their careers.
27. Job-search platforms can help individuals find opportunities in industries focused on health, well-being, and environmentally-friendly practices.
28. Casino-and-gambling can provide entertainment, but it's important to practice responsible gambling to avoid financial problems that might affect personal-finance and stress levels, potentially leading to increased reliance on medications.

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