The Postpartum Patient in Urgent Care: Three Emergencies You Can’t Afford to Miss
Tiffany Proffitt, DO
Tiffany Proffitt, DO, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and educator based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is also the audio lead for both UC RAP and ER Cast.
Sore Throat? Try McIsaac first before grabbing that swab!
It’s 9 a.m. in urgent care, and your next patient is here for a sore throat. They want a rapid strep test and antibiotics. But we all know that most sore throats are viral, and antibiotics won’t help. That’s exactly why clinical decision tools, such as the Centor and McIsaac criteria, matter. They guide testing decisions, help us avoid unnecessary antibiotics, and keep care efficient on a busy shift.
IM Epi, Meet Your Match: Why Intranasal Epinephrine Might Be a Game Changer
It’s every clinician’s nightmare: a pediatric patient in full-blown anaphylaxis, your team scrambling to find the epinephrine vial, draw it up, calculate the pediatric dose, triple-check the concentration — oh, and do it all in a resource-limited setting.
IDSA Complicated UTI Update: Shorter Courses, Smarter Treatment
It’s been more than a decade, but the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has finally released updated guidelinesfor complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) — and there’s a lot for clinicians to digest.
Herbs and Supplements Mythbusting: Separating Fact from Fiction
Herbal supplements are everywhere—and so are the bold claims that come with them. From tea tree oil to echinacea to zinc, they’re often marketed as natural cures for everything from acne to the common cold. But how much of it actually holds up?
Let’s Review Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOACs)
If you’ve ever worked an ED at 3 AM during a holiday weekend, you know what’s coming: a patient visiting from out of town presents with a radiology report that is positive for a DVT. With no hematology or cardiology consults available, no access to the patient’s records, and the clock ticking, you’re left to manage the situation.
Fiber: Your Best Friend or Worst Enemy? A Quick Guide
We’ve all done it—given patients the standard advice to “increase your daily fiber intake” without a second thought. After all, it seems like a simple, harmless suggestion, right? But what does it actually mean to crank up the fiber, and when should you rethink the recommendation?
The Great Debate: Is Inhaled Epinephrine a Friend or Foe for Asthma?
Just because it’s over the counter doesn’t make it safe.