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Dear Valued Patients, Partners and Friends,  

All urgent care centers are not alike. Today, we are pleased to announce that Austin Immediate Care has joined the highly select ranks of urgent care providers nationwide who have received accreditation from The Joint Commission and who are allowed to display its Gold Seal of Approval.

When patients, insurers, policy makers, regulators and medical professionals seek a comprehensive measure of a healthcare provider's quality of care and safety for patients, there is only one "gold standard" they rely on: Accreditation from The Joint Commission.

Aren't all urgent care centers accredited? NO!!! In fact, of the more than 8,700 urgent care centers in the US, only a handful of centers have achieved the rigorous Joint Commission standards. (While we can't claim exclusivity, we urge you to see for yourself which centers are accredited--all of our centers will be on the list in a few days!) Don't be fooled by centers that claim they are accredited by the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA)--they stopped awarding this in 2011.     

 "With this Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval, we join an elite group of urgent care providers whose ability to deliver the highest level of patient care is formally recognized," said Gregory F. Daniel, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, The Exigence Group. "We urge everyone--especially our patients--to consider this accreditation, and our commitment to the high quality of care it acknowledges, when making healthcare decisions."  

Many people choose diet sodas as a low-calorie alternative to regular soft drinks. However, new research indicates that just because these beverages have fewer calories, it does not mean they are better for a person's cardiovascular system.

Researchers reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine that individuals who drink diet sodas on a daily basis are 43 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. The findings are significant given the increasing reliance on low-calorie drinks.

The new findings may help individuals make smarter decisions when choosing a beverage. Most importantly, the study showed that diet beverages are not necessarily a healthy option and should be consumed only in moderation. Read more.

While Austin typically isn't in the path of tornadoes, hurricanes or ice storms, when the unthinkable does happen it can catch many people off guard. In a disaster, essential services such as electricity, telephone and healthcare may be disrupted or shut down. Supermarkets, hardware stores and gas stations may run out of supplies. Be prepared by assembling a survival kit to get you through tough times.

You should have supplies to last everyone in your household--including pets--for at least three days. Store supplies in a cool, dry place in easy-to-carry containers in case there's a need to evacuate. Check and replace any supplies past their expiration dates. Follow this link to an excellent supply list, and adapt it to suit your specific needs.