Q4 2023-Urgent Caring Message from the CUCM President

Antibiotic Awareness Week 2023 Concludes & the Urgent Care Convention Registration Opens

Dear Urgent Care clinicians,

On behalf of the College of Urgent Care Medicine, I wish you a joyous holiday season. As 2023 comes to an end, I would like to reflect on one of the College’s initiatives: Antibiotic Stewardship.

November 17-24 was U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW). We extend a thank-you to everyone who submitted stories of how you are supporting Antibiotic Stewardship, as well as those of you who submitted photos of you and your team wearing purple to support CDC’s “Go Purple” campaign. For those who missed Guillermo (Memo) Sanchez, PA-C and Patrick Dolan, MD’s webinar to kick off U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, here some highlights:

  • While the majority of outpatient antibiotics prescribed are medically necessary, at least 28% of antibiotic prescriptions may be unnecessary.
  • Antibiotic Stewardship is more than not prescribing antibiotics when not medically indicated. It includes choosing the effective antibiotics and avoiding ineffective ones (for example, the use of azithromycin for sinus infections), and using the antibiotic for the appropriate duration.
  • High prescribers of antibiotics ae often not aware of their prescribing patterns and the fact that they are on the high end.
  • A comprehensive institutional approach to Antibiotic Stewardship does work!

 

For 2024, I challenge you to reflect on your antibiotic prescribing practices, to review updated best-practice guidelines and to review your region’s antibiograms. You may be surprised by some of the recent changes and recommendations!

In this issue, Bernie Short, MD, FAAFP, FCUCM, President of SERUCA (Southeast Regional Urgent Care Association) shares an op-ed on the use of “provider.” Moving forward, the College has endorsed addressing MDs, DOs, PAs, and NPs as Urgent Care clinicians. As you may have noticed, this is how we have opened this letter.

Finally, registration for the Urgent Care Convention is now open! I look forward to seeing you in person at Caesars Forum April 13 through the 17.

Sincerely,                                                            

Chris Chao, MD, President, College of Urgent Care Medicine Board of Directors