Developing "SYMBIOTIC" Relationships With Urgent Care CentersImproving the Referral Process Through Preparedness and Quality Improvement Initiatives

Authors

Robert P. Olympia, Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
Neha Gupta, Department of Emergency Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA.
Paige Chardavoyne, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Marcus Erdman, Department of Pediatrics, US Air Force-673 Medical Group, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage, AK, USA.
Susan J. Boehmer, Department of Public Health Services, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey PA, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-8-2026

Journal

NASN school nurse (Print)

DOI

10.1177/1942602X251403000

Keywords

emergency; mental health; school nurse; collaboration; referral; school-based health; urgent care center

Abstract

Because of the widespread availability of urgent care centers (UCCs) and the non-emergent nature of many illnesses and injuries occurring in students who attend school, referrals to UCCs may be an option in the management of students without a primary care provider and with certain health insurance providers. Optimizing the care of these students involves several steps for the school nurse: (a) becoming familiar with the capabilities of the UCC in your community, and (b) establishing a collaborative relationship between the school and UCC through closed-loop communication and quality improvement initiatives.

APA Citation

Olympia, Robert P.; Gupta, Neha; Chardavoyne, Paige; Erdman, Marcus; and Boehmer, Susan J., "Developing "SYMBIOTIC" Relationships With Urgent Care CentersImproving the Referral Process Through Preparedness and Quality Improvement Initiatives" (2026). GW Authored Works. Paper 8601.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/8601

Department

School of Medicine and Health Sciences Resident Works