Urgent Care Association of America Reports Influx of Flu Patients
Naperville, Ill. (PRWEB) January 21, 2015 -- This year’s influenza outbreak has reached widespread levels in nearly all 50 states – and the season continues to worsen, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The outbreak has led to a large increase in people seeking medical attention at urgent care centers around the country this season, according to the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA). Urgent care centers are also reporting that the severity of patient symptoms from this flu strain has increased over previous years.
“Urgent care centers are at the front lines during flu season, and this year’s epidemic has led to a major influx of patients experiencing symptoms," said Dr. Nathan Newman, president of the UCAOA Board of Directors. “This season’s flu has inundated many primary care offices and emergency departments with sick patients. Urgent care centers serve as a convenient, cost-effective and high quality alternative for patients requiring prompt diagnoses and treatment.”
In response, many urgent cares have reported increasing their stock and use of Tamiflu, expanding waiting areas, increasing staff, providing masks for patients and taking a more aggressive approach in treatment.
More information about the urgent care industry and how UCAOA is approaching this flu epidemic can be found at http://www.ucaoa.org.
About the Urgent Care Association of America
The Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA) is a membership association for urgent care health and management professionals, centers and those who support the urgent care industry. UCAOA provides educational programs in clinical care and practice management, has a monthly Journal of Urgent Care Medicine and maintains an active online presence and member community for daily exchange of best practices. UCAOA provides leadership, education and resources for the successful practice of urgent care for its members. For more information visit http://www.ucaoa.org.
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Matt Kasik, Urgent Care Association of America, 312.565.4611, [email protected]
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