Simple Savings on Comon ProblemsMitchel Schwindt, M.D.

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Simple Savings for a Sore Throat

Have a Sore Throat?

Why it doesn’t have to cost $200

12 million clinic visits/year for sore throat

Cost $1.2 billion annually

Clinic or urgent care visit average $150 to $300

ER visits for sore throat $650

Facts

Sore ThroatSimple Savings

Key Points

• Avoid lab testing if possible • Strep tests = $100+

• Google: Centor criteria to predict strep

• A complete blood count (CBC) adds very little to a diagnosis - avoid this test.

Simple Savings

• Generic antibiotics ($4) work fine

• Not improving = call your doctor

• Sore throat > 7 days = see a doctor

Simple Savings

Sore Throats and Antibiotics

“Can’t I just get an antibiotic?”

….Well

Get the complete Urgent Care & Emergency Room Guide http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Guide-Urgent-Care-Emergency-ebook/dp/B008QXCDN0

Simple Savings

• Virus = #1 cause of a sore thorat

• Viral infections do NOT benefit from antibiotics

• Strep is treated with antibiotics

Simple Savings

Could I Have Strep?

Centor criteria predicts Strep• Fever• Swollen tonsils or tonsils covered with a white stuff• Swollen glands under the jaw • No cough

Real Cases

Doctor A

Dave has a bad sore throat, fever of 101, swollen tonsils and glands, but no cough.

Based on the Centor criteria, John has a greater than 50 percent chance of having strep. Doctor A feels no lab tests are needed. She prescribes an antibiotic. John walks out the door with a prescription for penicillin at cost of $4.

Real Cases

Doctor B

Sally has identical symptoms and the same liklihood of having strep throat.

Doctor B orders a CBC and a rapid strep test. The rapid test is positive. The CBC was normal

Sally’s lab tests cost a total of $93. She receives a prescription for Augmentin at a cost of $60.32.

Cost difference for the same diagnosis for these two patient’s-

Simple Savings$150.32

Same illness (strep throat)Same outcome (antibiotic)Vastly different cost

Conclusion

Simple Savings

Conclusion

• Strep throat is treated with an antibiotic and generally responds quickly to treatment.

• Viruses don’t respond to antibiotics; they will run their course and resolve with common sense care.

• The Centor criteria can help predict whether a patient has strep throat.

• Always let your doctor know if your symptoms are not improving.

Get the complete Urgent Care & Emergency Room Guide http://www.amazon.com/Patients-Guide-Urgent-Care-Emergency-ebook/dp/B008QXCDN0

Want More? For other simple ways to save both time

and money on common health problems visit:

MitchelMD.com/Simple-Savings Or click here

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Audio extra

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