Why You Might Not Get Prescribed Antibiotics In Urgent Care
Our patients walk through vybe urgent cares door for lots of different reasons. From yearly physicals and flu shots, to illnesses, injuries and on-site lab services, were dedicated to helping with all your urgent care needs.
Our role as a healthcare provider is a unique one. Its our responsibility to provide care at the highest clinical standard. Sometimes, though, patients who visit may already have an idea whats wrong with them and what they need to get better. Well sometimes receive feedback from patients saying we didnt treat them properly because we didnt prescribe an antibiotic. But theres a reason that you may leave your visit without a prescription for antibiotics.
To explain how we keep your best interests in mind, lets dive in.
When to use antibiotics?
While antibiotics may seem like the obvious solution to any sickness you have, that couldnt be further from the truth. Antibiotics are only meant to treat bacterial infections and wont do any good for viral infections such as the cold or flu. Two conditions for which antibiotics were previously commonly prescribed are Bronchitis and Sinusitis. Today, research has shown that antibiotics will not help patients heal from these conditions, in most cases.
Whats the harm?
Theres longer term risk from continuing to overprescribe.
Put simply, our society is running out of effective antibiotics.
Why is this important for urgent care?
What If The Pharmacy My Doctor Sends The Prescription To Doesnt Have Any Stock Of The Medication
If your pharmacy has temporarily run out of your medication they may be able to offer an alternative or will discuss options with you.There are no confirmed shortages of medications in Australia at this time as a direct result of COVID-19, however individual pharmacies may experience low stock of some medications from time to time.
Circumstances Under Which A Pharmacist Can Use The Prescriptive Authority
- You have already been diagnosed and obtained treatment from a doctor or a specialized nurse. You should have also received a prescription on your ailment in the past.
- The last prescription you received for this minor ailment is less than four years for all the ailments listed. Exceptions are there for ailments such as primary dysmenorrhea and hemorrhoids and urinary tract infections in women .
- As a woman, you cannot have been receiving treatment for up to three times in the last year for a urinary tract infection
- The symptoms you experience should be clear enough for the pharmacist to understand the intensity of your ailment.
Only if these conditions are met, the pharmacist will have the ability to prescribe antibiotics or any other related medications for your ailment. The pharmacist may, however, prescribe medication or antibiotics equal or lower to the one prescribed by your doctor originally.
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What Is A Good Substitute For Antibiotics
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Do you have to have a prescription for amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is a prescription antibiotic. Its used to treat infections caused by a certain type of bacteria. It may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.
Can Telehealth give doctors notes?
It is important to know that you can receive a doctors note through telemedicine, as long as a licensed doctor has assessed you and signed the note. However, there may be some conditions in which telemedicine may not be appropriate, such as when a doctor needs to assess you in-person.
Can online doctors prescribe penicillin?
Penicillin pills are one of the most commonly used antibiotics and treat a wide range of bacterial infections. You can buy penicillin with a prescription from a doctor both in-person and online.
Can my pharmacist prescribe me antibiotics?
For the most part, pharmacists can only prescribe antibiotics if they are qualified as a PIP. Another circumstance that permits a pharmacist to prescribe antibiotics is if their patient is under a patient group direction , says Abdeh.
How Long Does It Take For Antibiotics To Work
Antibiotics are potent drugs whose efficacy feels almost instantaneous. For this reason, there are some misunderstandings regarding the length of time it takes antibiotics to work.
Antibiotics begin working as soon as you take them relief begins within one to three days, but you should continue to take them for 7 to 14 days depending on the severity of infection.
Generally, you should start to feel better within 48 hours. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve within 48 hours, it is likely you are not suffering from a bacterial infection. You should see the doctor for follow up treatment.
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The Straightforward Way To Get An Online Prescription
If, after your consultation, the GP decides it is clinically appropriate to produce a prescription, then you have a few options.
We can send your prescription electronically to a local pharmacy, enabling you to collect it immediately. This pharmacy needs to be one of our nominated pharmacies, and a list is available in our Pharmacy Directory.
Alternatively, we can post the prescription to your home so that you can collect.
We also work with ChemistWarehouse.com.au so you can get the medication you need delivered to your door. If you would like to use this service, let your Instant Consult Doctor know and we can get the process started.
Unfortunately, there are several medications and types of medication that we cannot prescribe via video consultation, including:
- Panadeine Forte
- Schedule 8 medications
- Any medication that needs close monitoring by a doctor
If you are unsure, your Instant Consult doctor can advise you on the best course of action. Please bear in mind that our service is not to purchase online prescriptions your Instant Consult GP will only prescribe them if they are clinically appropriate.
Can A Pharmacist Diagnose
Pharmacists have the qualifications to assess certain common health conditions and advise on the treatment. It might be coughs, colds and sore throats, tummy troubles, skin rashes, eye infections, hay fever, etc.
But with any condition, patients experience different levels of severity or have additional symptoms or a particular medical history. Even if a patient has something as simple as a cold, they may need different types of care. If they feel your condition requires the attention of a doctor, they will not diagnose you.
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Tips For Patients To Use Antibiotics Responsibly
We need your help as well. There are three ways you can help fight antibiotic resistance:
We also often field calls from patients who want an antibiotic prescription but dont want to come in for an exam. Its important we evaluate you in person because so often these illnesses are viral, not bacterial. We may not be able to tell the difference on the phone.
Its not unusual for patients to tell me, Well, last time I had this, antibiotics cleared it right up. I explain to them that every infection is different. They may have had a bacterial infection last time, in which case the antibiotics would have been effective. Its also possible that it was a viral infection and their symptoms disappeared after a couple days not because of the antibiotic, but because thats how viral infections work. The symptoms subside on their own.
If you are prescribed an antibiotic, follow these guidelines:
The Difference Between An Abscess And An Infection
A tooth infection can take the form of a cavity, pulpitis, or an abscess. Yes, a dental cavity is an infection. It causes the enamel, or hard surface, of the tooth to begin to break down. This can be painful, if it happens quickly, but many cavities dont cause symptoms.
If the infection extends into the middle of the tooth the pulp it causes pulpitis. This usually causes a toothache, which can be aggravated by hot and cold foods and liquids.
Finally, if the infection is not treated and continues to spread, it can form an abscess. After the infection has spread through the middle of the tooth and has nowhere else to go, it forms a pocket of pus, which is an abscess.
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What Are Possible Risks Or Side Effects Of Antibiotics
Different antibiotics affect people differently, but side effects include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and fungal infections. Many of these effects can be reduced by taking the medicine as directed, such as after a full meal or with a full glass of fluid.
- A small number of people might have a severe allergic reaction to some groups of antibiotics, such as penicillins.
- Always tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic in the past. Describe the reaction and, if you can, tell them the name of that antibiotic.
- Care also needs to be taken if you have liver or kidney problems, you are taking other medicines or you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Some antibiotics need to be taken with food.
- Some dont mix well with alcohol, while others affect certain other medicines, such as the anticoagulant warfarin.
Thats why its important to follow the instructions carefully.
Can I Get Antibiotics Without Seeing A Doctor
You can not get oral antibiotics, such as amoxicillin and penicillin, without talking to a doctor. That said, you are able to get antibiotics without seeing a doctor in person.
A video or phone call is a great way to get prescribed antibiotics from the comfort of your home if it is felt to be needed. During an online consultation, a doctor can diagnose your infection and determine an appropriate treatment method, including antibiotics if necessary. Your antibiotic prescription will be electronically sent to your local pharmacy for pick up.
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What Are The Benefits Of Online Appointments
Online appointments are becoming more popular because the technology to support telehealth has evolved. Receiving healthcare online can significantly simplify the process while ensuring that patients continue to get the appropriate care level, whether for a bacterial infection or any other issue.
These are some of the benefits offered by online appointments:
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When Should Antibiotics Be Used
Antibiotics are very effective against a wide range of infections caused bybacteria, including skin and wound infections, eye infections, some ear, throatand chest infections, bladder infections, and some sexually transmitted diseases. Antibiotics are also effective against someparasites.
However, antibiotics are not a remedy for all infections. They will not workagainst viruses that cause infections, such as the common cold, flu ,bronchitis, and most sore throats, coughs, and ear infections.
Antibiotic use is not always justified based on presentation of symptoms alone. For example, most chest infections are self-limiting , while fever or a change in the appearance of a nasal discharge alone does not justify the use of antibiotics . Importantly, antibiotics taken for a viral infection will not make you feel better and can contribute to antibiotic resistance. Persistent symptoms may not even be an infection, making a consultation with a doctor essential. We may be able to prescribe for you but sometimes we have to recommend a physical examination .
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Telemedicine Overprescribes Antibiotics: Are You Really Receiving The Best Care Over The Phone
Youve seen the ads, and you may have even gotten a flyer in the mail directly from your insurance company. Use an app to make a quick video call to get the medical care you need. No waiting rooms, no appointments, no having to be touched, or even sit in a room with a physician just the magic of the internet, and youll get what you want.
But will you get what you need?
A study published in Pediatrics showed that pediatric remote telehealth visits are far more likely to result in an antibiotic prescription than an in-person visit with a doctor. Researchers looked at a total of about 500,000 visits for acute respiratory symptoms from 2015-2016, matching visits by things like age, medical complexity, location, and the diagnosis. They then looked to see how many of the encounters resulted in an antibiotic prescription, separating out telehealth, urgent care, and primary physician visits. By telemedicine, here, they looked only at direct-to-consumer telemed visits, the kind youve seen advertised by private companies, and promoted by your insurance.
The study found that among all of the visits examined that had a clear-cut diagnostic code, 27% were for a diagnosis that should typically result in an antibiotic prescription. Keep that figure in mind 27% of these encounters, to fit within well-established, evidence-based guidelines, should have had an antibiotic prescribed. The other 73% were for viral infections
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Prescribing And Dispensing Monitored Drugs
To obtain a prescription for a monitored drug, there are a number of requirements that patients, prescribers and dispensers must follow.
Dentists prescribing monitored drugs must record all of the following information on the prescription:
- Identification number of the patient and the type of identification used.
- Registration number on the certificate of registration issued to the prescriber by the College of which he or she is a member.
- Name of the person for whom the monitored drug is prescribed.
- Name, strength and quantity of the monitored drug.
- Directions for use of the monitored drug.
- Name and address of the prescriber.
Visit the Ministry of Health website for a list of approved forms of identification. The Narcotics Safety and Awareness Act, 2010 gives the ministry the authority to disclose information, including personal health information, relating to the prescribing and dispensing of monitored drugs for the purposes of the Act. The Ministry may report such information to regulatory colleges and/or law enforcement authorities where there is suspected unlawful activity.
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Help With Your Prescriptions
Pharmacists can answer your questions about your prescription medicines some even answer questions over the phone. Whenever you think you want to change treatment, stop taking medicine, or have concerns about the effects, ask your pharmacist. They will help you figure out the next course of action.
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When Should You Use An Online Doctor
You should see an online doctor anytime you require treatment for non-emergency medical or behavioral health conditions. While online doctors are not meant to replace your primary care provider, urgent care provider, or the emergency room many non-life threatening conditions can be treated onlineand in many cases, an online visit can replace an in-person visit. If seeing your primary care provider is requiredyour online doctor will tell yousaving you both time and money when a visit is not required.
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Do I Need To See The Doctor Every Time I Need A Prescription
If your local pharmacist cannot prescribe antibiotics, you will need to see a doctor to get them . But not every time.
When doctors prescribe medications for long-term, regular use, they issue a repeat prescription. This means they gave the patient permission for this prescription that can be filled multiple times without another appointment until a certain set date.
The doctor might also schedule a check-up. But until then, the pharmacist will be able to issue the medication repeatedly. When its time to order the medicine again, the patient can fill an online form or call their GP.
Other Benefits Of Medication Prescription Using Teledentistry
Outside of receiving new prescriptions from a dentist, there are still many uses for teledentistry regarding medication prescription. Probably the most obvious one is getting refills for existing medications. These often require a dentists signature, and doing so via teledentistry eliminates unnecessary trips to the office.
Teledentistry can also be used to get feedback for non-prescription drugs. There is a range of over-the-counter medications that patients often use to help with dental issues. Using teledentistry, dentists have the ability to assess the situation, and then recommend effective non-prescription options to treat symptoms until an appointment can be scheduled. Being able to talk to a dentist can help you decide which medications are the best choice for your situation.
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What Are The Causes Of Dental Abscess
Bacteria thrive in your mouth. Although your mouth has good bacteria, its also full of bad bacteria that can cause plaque. If you dont keep your teeth clean, bacteria in plaque can damage your teeth and gums causing tooth decay and gum disease. Although you can floss and brush your teeth regularly, you still need to visit your dentist for professional dental cleaning.
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How Will The Online Doctor Diagnose My Infection As Bacterial
Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections, meaning they are no good for treating viral or fungal infections. The doctor will be able to diagnose your infection as bacterial based on your symptoms, medical history and the length of infection. If they are unable to comfortably diagnose your infection they will write you a lab referral for testing. Once your results are in they will prescribe you an appropriate treatment plan, including antibiotics online if necessary.
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People Vulnerable To Infection
Antibiotics may be recommended for people who are more vulnerable to infection. This includes:
- people aged over 75 years
- babies less than 72 hours old with a confirmed bacterial infection
- babies with a high risk of developing a bacterial infection
- people who have to take insulin to control their diabetes
- people with a weakened immune system
