February 1, 2024

Headlines

Hotel Scam Warning

There is a common issue facing UCA and the event industry as a whole: Phone and email scammers are targeting Convention exhibitors and attendees.

Scam methods may include contacting you to book your hotel stay with fraudulent information or selling an exhibitor or attendee list.

If the domain from which the email originates is not urgentcareassociation.org or our event software, cvent.com, it is a scam. Do not engage and report the sender.

Be sure to whitelist our email address convention@urgentcareassociation.org to ensure proper messaging is received.

Fueling Research, Education and Humanitarian Healthcare Efforts

A Garden Party to Remember

Support the Efforts of UCF, Prices Increase After January 31

Get ready for a new take on the classic UCF Celebration; this year you’ll step out of the ordinary into a whimsical garden with entertainment at every turn. You’ll enjoy mesmerizing LED Rhythmic Gymnastics performances, 360 photo booth, Brain Art station and more.

But this evening is not about entertainment only; it’s about making a difference. Proceeds from the Celebration will play a crucial role in fueling vital research, empowering educational development and driving humanitarian healthcare efforts. By attending, you become an integral part of something extraordinary, contributing to a lasting impact on our community and beyond.

Thank you to our current sponsors. Your generous support is greatly appreciated

Open availability until February 22, 2024.

Award Nominations Closed

Nominations for the 2024 Urgent Care Awards closed on January 12. We received various strong applications and are currently in the review process.

Award winners will be announced in February and acknowledged at the 2024 Urgent Care Foundation Celebration.

Award Categories:

Rising Star Award
Outstanding Achievement Award
Advocacy Award
Lifetime Membership Award
Humanitarian Award
Quality and Safety Award
The Becky Burress Award

New: Specialized Journeys

To further simplify your experience and help you focus on Recharging, access schedules based on your role.

Journeys include those for:

• Pediatric Clinicians (featuring sessions from PM Pediatric Care)

• Adult Clinicians

• Administrative and Operational Leaders

• Members of an on-site team

What to expect from your journey:

• Suggested education

• When and where to recharge

• Opportunities to connect

Peek the full agenda and filter by your journey to start envisioning how you’ll spend your time with us here.

Lisa Bohman Egbert, MD: 2024 Convention Keynote Speaker

Speaker of the AMA House of Delegates

Lisa Bohman Egbert, MD, elected AMA House of Delegates Speaker in June 2023, has showcased unwavering commitment to organized medicine. Her journey began as a student representative and evolved through leadership roles in AMA’s Women in Medicine Advisory Panel, Resident Physician Section, Young Physician Section (YPS), chairing AMA-YPS, serving on AMPAC’s board, AMA Council on Medical Service, and as AMA Vice Speaker before her current role, also serving on the AMA Board of Trustees.

She will discuss how the AMA believes our health system can work better and Advocacy strategies moving forward.

Whatever Respiratory Season May Bring, We’re Ready

When respiratory season arrives this year, QuidelOrtho has the full range of diagnostic instruments and assays to help you weather any testing challenge. Learn more about our advanced solutions.

Advocacy Alert: Champions for Letter to CMS Secured

In case you missed the January 17 Advocacy Alert:

Four Representatives, Bipartisan Support

We have been working with our lobbyist, McDermott+, to gather support from members of the House of Representatives on a letter to CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure advocating for Urgent Care. Last week, we obtained our 4th “champion” for this letter.

These representatives are Brad Scheider (D-IL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) from the Ways & Means Committee and Ann Kuster (D-NH) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) from the Energy & Commerce Committee. This bipartisan support from such influential people was a big milestone! The letter is now being circulated and our goal is to gather 30+ more signatures before we present the letter to CMS.

If “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a signal step,” this is one huge step.

If you have a personal relationship with a particular House member, or if you are looking for ways to support our Advocacy efforts, please reach out to Advocacy Manager, Kristin Rastatter, and she would be happy to speak with you.

CMS Health Equity Conference

Call for Proposals

CMS is accepting proposals for its second annual CMS Health Equity Conference (May 29-30 in Bethesda, MD) through February 9. The theme of this year’s conference is Sustaining Health Equity Through Action.

Consider submitting a proposal to showcase your organization’s and Urgent Care’s commitment to providing equitable healthcare services and contribute to the broader conversation about improving health equity.

College of Urgent Care Medicine

Urgent Caring Case Study: A Case of Aortic Dissection in Urgent Care

Read Case Study #1 in the Peer Reviewed Publication From the College of Urgent Care Medicine

A Case of Aortic Dissection in Urgent Care

Pete Baker, PA-C

A 32-year-old female presents with six months of atypical chest pain. She describes the discomfort as a mild, random sensation radiating left to right across her mid-sternal region. This occurs with and without exertion and lasts several minutes with days between episodes. The patient admitted no other neurovascular or cardiopulmonary symptoms, and she denies pertinent medical history. Her reasoning for waiting six months for care was a fear of doctor’s offices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her thought was that she may have strained a muscle in her chest running after her two lively children.

A healthy young mother, who has taken care of herself, was an alert female who was a good historian of her concern. Her past medical history included two healthy pregnancies resulting in two live births. She has no first-degree family history of early cardiac disease, and she takes no medications. No outward signs of illness could be gleaned from her appearance.

Receive Free 3 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.

Thirty-Eight States Experienced A ‘High‘ or Worse Level Of Influenza-Like Illness Activity During The Week Ending Dec. 30

Seasonal influenza activity is elevated and continues to increase in most parts of the country.

Outpatient respiratory illness has been above baselinenationally since November and is above baseline in all 10 HHS Regions. The number of weekly flu hospital admissions continues to increase. CDC estimates that there have been at least 10 million illnesses, 110,000 hospitalizations, and 6,500 deaths from flu so far this season. Full Access: CDC

CDC Says JN.1 Variant Accounts for About 62% Of COVID Cases in US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that COVID subvariant JN.1 accounts for about 62% of cases in the U.S. as of January 2024. The agency said JN.1, which is an offspring of BA.2.86, is now the most widely circulated variant in the U.S. and globally. Full Access: CDC

FDA Says Applesauce Pouches Recalled for Lead Also Contained Chromium

The Food and Drug Administration warned that applesauce pouches previously recalled for containing lead may also contain chromium, increasing the risks of illness after ingestion. Full Access: FDA

PF-07038124 Demonstrates Superior Efficacy in Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis, Plaque Psoriasis

This randomized, double-blind clinical trial showed that the topical phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor PF-07038124 was well tolerated and demonstrated superior efficacy in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) and plaque psoriasis compared with the placebo, according to a recent phase 2a study. Full Access: JAMA

Financial Fitness: 2024 Resolutions for Urgent Care

Solutions.Webinar: Thursday, January 25 | 11 a.m. CST

It’s no surprise that Urgent Care operators are heading into 2024 with macroeconomic pressure and evolving industry dynamics. While on-demand care leaders cannot control the variables, they can take control of their own business ecosystems to sustain success in variable dynamics.

Despite the numerous challenges this year and beyond, the industry has an opportunity to succeed and continue a growth path. In 2024, we must be culturally aligned and operationally excellent to become financially fit.

In this webinar we will dig into the 2024 insights and resolutions that set Urgent Care operators up for success including—

Industry data surrounding the macro financial climate in the urgent care industry
5 key strategies to improve operational rigor and financial fitness
Key takeaway guide with ‘quick win’ tactics included

Thank You to Our Corporate Members

The longtime support of our Corporate members has helped UCA and our industry grow and advance.

When you become a UCA Corporate Member, you achieve industry and peer recognition while supporting projects that benefit your customers and their patients.

Extend Your Reach in 2024

Whether you’re looking to launch a new product, extend your reach or help your customers grow their business, when you advertise or partner with UCA, your brand will be positioned front and center among key decision makers looking for trusted solutions.

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