HOUSTON, Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Urgent Care Association (UCA) will bring together industry leaders from across the country for the 2018 Urgent Care Fall Conference – "New Frontiers" – to explore innovative research, discuss best practices and gain hands-on experience in key treatment areas in on-demand care. Unique to this year's event will be a post-conference symposium on antibiotic stewardship, the introduction of a pediatrics track, as well as a new Certified Urgent Care Management Professional (CUCMP) program. New Frontiers is slated for Oct. 12-14 in Houston.
Antibiotic Stewardship Symposium
The Antibiotic Stewardship Symposium, funded with grants from Abbott and RB Health (US) LLC, will highlight best practices for antibiotic prescribing in on-demand care. Urgent care leaders and decision makers, as well as UCA's industry partner of three years, the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center (ARAC), will participate in a roundtable discussion on the importance of antibiotic stewardship in the outpatient setting. This symposium will be moderated by UCA's Board President Dr. Sean McNeeley, M.D., medical director at University Hospital Urgent Care in Cleveland, and Cindy Liu, M.D., M.P.H., PhD, associate professor at Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
"Due to the volume of patients presenting at urgent care centers and other outpatient settings each and every day, it is important that we continue discussions to strengthen antibiotic stewardship efforts," said Dr. McNeeley. "As part of this symposium, we will discuss evidence-based practices that contribute to the responsible prescribing of antibiotics."
New Pediatrics Track
From clinical educational sessions and case study presentations to a hands-on Pediatric Wound Care Workshop, this new pediatrics track will address both clinical and operational delivery of pediatric urgent care. Topics will include child abuse, pediatric asthma, rashes and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as antibiotic stewardship.
"As the role of urgent care facilities in pediatric care evolves, it is important that we maintain the highest standards of acute care for sick or injured children, such as flu, fever, earaches, rashes, minor bone fractures and cuts," said Laurel Stoimenoff, CEO of UCA. "This new track will help urgent care providers deliver safe and effective care in collaboration with primary care physicians and emergency departments. A recent study found that 24 percent of urgent care claims are for patients under the age of 18, so this is an important sector for clinicians."
CUCMP Certification and Curriculum
Also notable at Fall Conference will be the introduction to UCA's Certified Urgent Care Management Professional (CUCMP) certification and curriculum. CUCMP certification is a vital designation for urgent care professionals who are seeking to advance their knowledge and distinguish themselves within the industry.
More than 20 percent of the CUCMP coursework will be available as part of the schedule, so urgent care professionals can begin earning credits while at conference. Participants will run through practical management and operational scenarios unique to the on-demand healthcare industry.
Other Key Session Topics
To kick off the conference, opening speaker Michael Shabot, M.D., chief medical officer at Memorial Hermann Health System, will share steps to develop and implement a healthcare high reliability program. There also will be a variety of advanced clinical and management trends and innovations discussed throughout the three-day event, including:
- Tips for managing the multi-generational workforce
- Advanced clinical techniques for fractures, head injuries, ophthalmology, back pain and more
- Latest trends in OccMed, sports physicals and travel medicine
The Fall Conference will also include a day-long merger and acquisition-focused event called the Buy, Sell, Partner Summit, which will bring together urgent care industry leaders and consultants to address future trends in growth, partnership and investment strategies.
For more information about the 2018 New Frontiers Urgent Care Fall Conference and to see the full schedule, please visit http://www.ucaoa.org/page/2018Fall.
About the Urgent Care Association
The Urgent Care Association (UCA) is a membership association of leaders, providers and suppliers in the field of on-demand, consumer-focused health care. UCA advances the industry and supports member success through advocacy, research, education, collaboration and high standards of care. The association maintains an active online presence and member community for daily exchange of best practices. For more information, visit http://www.ucaoa.org.
SOURCE Urgent Care Association
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