I believe that most of this community knows and appreciates how diligently I have worked to provide quality urgent care. I was disappointed that you printed (on the front page) an article that was so confusing and critical of Malibu Urgent Care. The rattlesnake anti-venom for humans contains horse serum and can cause severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest-death. In some cases the treatment can be more dangerous than the disease. The anti-venom is given intravenously and requires admission to the hospital for constant monitoring. A skin test is administered prior to the anti-venom. If the patient tests positive for allergy, a difficult decision must be made whether or not to give the anti-venom. In my experience, half of the patients with negative skin tests develop significant allergic reactions during treatment in the hospital.
Victims of rattlesnake bites should activate the Emergency Medical Service by dialing 911. Do not use a tourniquet or cut the area in any way; have the patient lie down. The paramedics will determine which hospitals have the anti-venom in stock and will arrange transport to that facility. If the injury is severe, we have used helicopters for this purpose.
At Malibu Urgent Care, we provide medical care to 12,000 patients a year and strive for excellence. There are some conditions, however, that are best treated by rapid transport to an appropriate in-patient hospital. Stroke, heart attack, and rattlesnake envenomation fall into this category. Call 911 immediately.
Jill Furgurson, M.D., FACEP