411 Urgent Care on 44 across from Brownwood
 

Hubby has had a bad ear ache and I have a viris that I picked on a cruise ship that lasted 20 days then went away for 3 and started up again with the post nasal drip and sore throat......we both just felt miserable....

So we decided to go to the new Urgent Care across the street from Brownwood on 44, 411 Urgent Care..

We registered, and were immediatly led to a room. A tech and nurse came in and took our vitals, history and complaints. The doctor came in minutes later, during the triage and was extremely personable and we were evaluated, given 2 shots each, in the but...ouchy.....and told to go to Walgreens (our choice) to pick up our scripts that were already electronically sent for us.

wow...wow...wow...... we were in and out in less than 45 minutes.....

Just wanted to let everyone know, they are out there and worth the car trip..... The office also included vascular, heart and I another specialty MD that I can't remember.

We were highly impressed, and will be repeat customers for sure.

Gastroenterolgy...

Everyone I know that has gone there gets a shot in the Butt Lol What's with that?

Yea, they give everyone a shot of Rocephin. A heavy duty anti biotic.

I think a real doctor would be better or an ER

///

We got that....and they want us to come back 2 days for 1 shot a day? ever heard of that....

and when I called they said we also have to see the md each time......

I think I just might be changing my opinion......

PDR indicates a preference for 3 doses IM every 12-24 hours for severe otitis media. It appears to be intended for severe bacterial infections such as meningitis.

I think it wiser to have a PCP who knows your health history and can monitor your health. I prefer a board certified MD who knows our health history. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and infections can be caught early enough to stop them in their tracks.

That is if a person lives here full time. I am glad you are both better and it is good to have emergency facilities available for after hours things that happen, but as we age health issues happen and it is good to have someone to oversee our general health.

I'm not going to get old.

What's up with that is $$$. Rocephin is overkill for the vast majority of bacterial otitis media. But the MD gets well paid for giving it. Whereas of course the MD makes no profit for a script that goes to the pharmacy. Unless you are immune deficient, have a significant other underlying condition or have failed oral antibiotics for this ear infection there is almost never a reason to use Rocephin as a first drug. And if the doctor sent you to the pharmacy for more meds? Were those oral antibiotics as well or maybe just ear drops with numbing meds?

Of course if you have a virus, no matter how terrible the virus might be, you never get any benefit from an antibiotic. Unless you are hoping for diarrhea or a drug rash or to fill your body with antibiotic resistant bacteria..

HERE is a good summary from the CDC of what common illnesses do and do not need antibiotic treatment. Note that for adults there is no listing for ear infection as it is not a common diagnosis.

These emergency clinics perform a valuable service in our country today because of the long, horrendous wait time at hospitals' emergency rooms or because getting a doctor's appointment in a timely manner may not be possible.
They do take your medical history.
The clinic described in this thread has a very well credentialed medical doctor on staff.

As I have said in the past, board certification does not guarantee that a doctor is good.
In some cases they are simply just average doctors -- nothing special and no better and no worse than any others.
This clinic across from Brownwood provides a fast response time from a knowledgeable staff when your issue requires attention now.

I defer to the experts.

Urgent care was necessary due to the Lake County ENT could not see us till next thursday 9/28........ and we tried 3 different ENT's no luck

we'd have been dead by then....

he did prescribe antibotics for the both of us.....this is something our regular ENT in South florida never has done.....usually ear drops and nasal spray for me...but we were in so much discomfort, and didn't want to make the 5 hour drive to our primary home ENT, so soon after arriving up here that we hoped for the best and took a shot...or 2.....

Then pay no attention to non medical opinions seen on the internet given by those that know nothing about your situation. You did the right thing.

Rocephin? Is that really on the serving tray while you wait? JK. However, in the geriatric community that I am proudly a part of, the over-utilization of the BIG GUN intramuscular injections is on the rise again and I would personally opt out of that wherever possible.. Typically, many of these acute conditions are viral and AB's, IM or orally, etc, do nothing except diminish the immunity for a bit as it eliminates the "bad" flora BUT, VIRUS=NO BAD BACTERIA.
OH YEAH. If you are a woman, the opportunity for a vaginal yeast infection skyrockets after destruction of good vaginal flora from the well intended antibiotic. Fun. NOT.
be healthy and Acidophyllus for all of my friends here in The Villages AND BEYOND.
As for the doc making more $$ for shots, not really. There might be a $1.45 payment for the injection. The medication is not paid at huge markups. If so many docs give this out, the insurance carriers will report on in-office utilization of the category and can drill down into specifics. I used to do clinical audits on this very topic and that was not a money maker. Those days are far behind us in most ways. The MD oft times calls the phcy and has the med sent to them or has the patient fill the rx and return with it as the reimbursement is not there and the cost is high. Sample closets and med stations in MD suites are not overflowing with meds like when we were kids or new parents.
Solution? Stay healthy.
Take charge and ASK "WHY?"!
peace.

Thank you for the follow up comment. I take from your having a "regular ENT" that perhaps you have some unusual situation. Otitis would not typically be handled by a surgical specialist, instead of a primary care doctor. I was a primary care doctor. I know how much profit was made by giving Rocephin. We only used it for patients requiring an antibiotic who also had significant vomiting which precluded oral meds or for the rare child who refused oral meds or those who had failed at least two rounds of oral meds. I am not aware of any organization or study that suggests that a person who is receiving a course of Rocephin also should receive additional oral antibiotics.

I am glad you did well and were pleased with the care you received.