The skin around the eyes is one of the first places that reveal a person's age. The delicate skin under the eyes that contains less subcutaneous fat becomes thinner with age. The unsightly age-related changes include dark circles, ''bags'' or swelling and puffiness, crepy skin under the eyes and ''crows' feet.'' Patients often complain that ...

Recently our group was consulted in the care of a patient newly diagnosed with HIV. This patient presented to the hospital via the ED with altered mental status. A lumbar puncture was performed and the cerebrospinal fluid was sent off to the microlab for cultures. About 48 hours later, it was positive for Cryptococcus. An HIV test ...

My new position affords me the opportunity to provide care and management of patients living with HIV.  Living is the operative verb. Gone are the days of taking at least 17 pills PO q 24 hours. Patients in the United States, diagnosed with HIV, that commence Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and are medication compliant, will more likely ...

STD screens and treatment are a bread-and-butter public health service. Screenings are usually handled by enhanced-role RNs trained in speculum exams, collecting cultures and wet mounts, though not performing Pap smears. Because our enhanced role RN is the lead nurse for the entire clinic, I do the STD screens when she's covering other ...

Since the beginning of the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic, the public has relied on retail clinic practitioners to provide education, guidance, testing, assurance and treatment. The media is playing a vital role in keeping the public updated; however, I am not sure if this is helpful or harmful. The public is hearing with only half an ear, only ...

While working in a retail clinic, I have identified the following tools as essential for building a successful, thriving clinic: word of mouth, positive perception and community awareness. It is my experience that although company marketing is necessary, word of mouth is a valuable tool for growing a retail clinic. I have witnessed a large ...

We are doing lots of sport physicals as school is about to start in many of the surrounding counties. I think that sometimes when something like a sport exam is offered at such a low cost and at very convenient times people do not take them as seriously as they should. Maybe the low cost and convenience devalues the importance of what is taking ...

I am sure that everyone is aware of the swing flu scare that took place a few weeks ago. This was an uncertain time for everyone in the medical and public health arena. However, after working in a retail health clinic during this time, I realized that the public turns to retail clinic providers to help them understand and process public health ...

What is up with retail clinics in May? Well, I have been out of action for most of the moth of April so I have missed the end of flu season and the push of sport physical exams that seem to come with spring. Living in Atlanta, the ''wanna-be'' capitol of allergies, I know sinus problems and other allergy problems are a big part of the patient ...

The Convenient Care Association and retail healthcare operators including Take Care and MinuteClinic released statements today that detail their plans to educate patients about the swine flu. A huge influx of patients is asking for preventive medicines and NPs need to be prepared to provide up-to-date and accurate information while calming ...