Urgent care clinics are inappropriately prescribing pills, research shows
A study analyzing over 22 million urgent care visits between 2018 and 2022 found millions of prescriptions for these drugs, with a substantial number deemed inappropriate for the patients' diagnoses.
Specific instances of inappropriate prescribing included 46 percent of patients with urinary symptoms receiving unnecessary antibiotics and 41 percent of bronchitis patients getting inappropriate glucocorticoids.
Researchers suggest that factors contributing to this issue include clinicians' knowledge gaps, patient demand, and a lack of comprehensive information systems to support prescribing decisions.
Proposed solutions to mitigate inappropriate prescribing involve implementing drug stewardship programs, utilizing electronic health records more effectively, and providing further medication education for healthcare providers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Experts recommend a 'micro' exercise to lose weight... and it only takes 30 seconds
The thought of getting in 10,000 steps while working a 9-5 or waking up before sunrise to workout may sound daunting to most people, despite knowing the importance of physical activity. But now, experts suggest you may be able to get the benefits of walking without going on miles-long strolls. In fact, it could only take 30-second bursts, dubbed 'micro-walks,' to stay healthy, with research suggesting this activity could be more beneficial than long walks. Micro-walks are defined as walking for 10 to 30 seconds at a time with breaks between your next stint. They can be as simple as going up a flight of stairs or doing a lap around your office. A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B looked to test the efficiency of walking over different time intervals. In their research, the team used volunteers who walked on a treadmill or climbed a short flight of stairs for different time periods ranging from 10 seconds to four minutes. They found that people who walked in short bursts used up to 60 percent more energy than those who took longer, slower walks, despite the walks covering the same distance. And the more energy you expend, the more you boost metabolism and the more calories you burn. Micro-walks are defined as walking for 10 to 30 seconds at a time with breaks between your next walk Your browser does not support iframes. Researchers concluded that doing brief bursts of walking might boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories than taking longer, steady strolls. Globally, one in four adults does not get adequate physical activity. In the US, nearly half of Americans are overweight or obese and around 300,000 deaths are the result of physical inactivity and poor eating habits, according to estimates by the CDC. 'Micro-walks are particularly effective for sedentary individuals or those in recovery, offering an accessible way to reintroduce movement,' Dr Zulia Frost, co-founder and clinical director of Recharge Health, told USA Today. Starting to exercise can seem overwhelming and even scary to some, but micro-walks can start to set you on a path of renewed health and fitness without needing to commit to long workouts that take up a huge chunk of your day. 'It's really about doing what you can,' dietitian Albert Matheny, a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, told Women's Health. 'If you're not a big walker and you think, "I don't want to walk five miles," then just do 30-second bursts. It's more attainable.' And there are numerous benefits to the short walks. Even a few minutes of walking after meals can aid digestion and help regulate blood sugar levels. Research shows that short bursts of movement throughout the day contribute to calorie burn and improved metabolism. Sitting for long periods can cause stiffness, back pain, and decreased energy levels. Taking a five-minute walking break every hour can improve circulation, boost concentration, and reduce fatigue. Additionally, a quick stroll can be a mood-lifter. Micro-walks have the ability to reduce stress hormones and enhance creativity, effectively boosting productivity. And a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Walking - even in short intervals - also helps regulate blood pressure, manage weight, and improve cardiovascular health. Additionally, in a recent analysis of nearly 60 studies, researchers found just 7,000 steps, not the always-touted 10,000, in a day was enough to lower the risk of dementia, heart disease and some forms of cancer. Scientists compared the effects of 7,000 daily steps to 2,000. Based on health data from 160,000 people, those who walked 7,000 steps a day had a 25 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, America's number one killer. Additionally, 7,000 daily steps led to a 38 percent drop in dementia risk. People who adhered to the measure were also less likely to suffer from depression than those who got just 2,000 steps in a day.
Reuters
5 hours ago
- Reuters
US Health Secretary Kennedy to oust members of US preventive task force, WSJ reports
July 25 (Reuters) - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is planning to remove all the members of an advisory panel that determines what cancer screenings and other preventive health measures insurers must cover, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Kennedy plans to dismiss all 16 panel members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, according to the WSJ report. This is the latest in a series of far-reaching actions by Kennedy, a long-time vaccine skeptic, to reshape U.S. regulation of vaccines, food and medicine. In June, Kennedy dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing them with eight new members including known vaccine skeptics. The USPSTF includes medical experts serving four-year terms on a volunteer basis and has a major role in choosing what services will be covered under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The U.S. Supreme Court in June upheld the constitution of the task force and ruled in favor of its recommendation to cover preventive care such as cancer screenings and HIV prevention medication at no cost to patients. Its members are selected by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services without Senate confirmation. The HHS and the USPSTF did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.
Reuters
6 hours ago
- Reuters
Health Secretary Kennedy to oust advisory panel on cancer screenings, HIV prevention drugs, WSJ reports
July 25 (Reuters) - Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is planning to remove all the members of an advisory panel that determines what cancer screenings and other preventive health measures insurers must cover, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Kennedy plans to dismiss all 16 panel members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, according to the WSJ report. The task force's members are selected by the U.S. Secretary Of Health And Human Services without Senate confirmation. The HHS did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
