A systematic review found that parents generally provide the most accurate estimates of their children's body weight in emergency departments. Length-based methods, such as the Broselow Tape, were the next most accurate, but still had limitations.
A recent case report found that a patient's activity tracker and smartphone helped identify the onset time of his atrial fibrillation, allowing for timely electrical cardioversion. The device provided critical information to medical providers, enabling more effective treatment decisions.
Emergency physicians face a growing challenge as the Baby Boomer generation ages; they need to balance documenting findings and referring patients with their obligations to prevent misunderstandings. Two studies highlight the importance of a team-based approach, including social workers and law enforcement, to identify elder abuse.
Patients over 65 with cognitive impairment, discharge plan changes, and abnormal vital signs are at increased risk of ICU admission or death within 7 days. Abnormal vital signs like low blood pressure and high heart rate can lead to catastrophic events for discharged patients.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found ketamine to be an effective and safe sedation agent for patients with acute behavioral disturbances who do not respond to traditional methods. Only 10% of patients treated with ketamine required additional sedation or failed to achieve sedation within a set time frame.
A study found that emergency department visits for young adults decreased by 0.5 percent following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, while visits for mental illnesses increased significantly. However, there was a notable decrease in ER visits for complications of pregnancy among this age group.
Emergency physicians propose three interventions to improve cardiac arrest survival rates: developing a national OHCA registry, encouraging bystander CPR, and fostering high-performance CPR. The authors argue that inadequate research funding is a significant problem, hindering efforts to reduce mortality rates.
A randomized controlled trial found that isopropyl alcohol nasal inhalation reduced nausea scores by half and improved patient satisfaction compared to saline solution. The remedy has potential to alleviate symptoms of nearly five million emergency patients annually.
Decreasing county-wide psychiatric services led to a significant increase in emergency psychiatric consults and prolonged hospital stays. The study found that patients with mental illness faced greater challenges in accessing care, resulting in increased medical issues.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that commercial electronic health record opioid warning systems often fire off unnecessary alerts, compromising patient safety. The alert fatigue issue highlights the need to refine these systems to highlight only clinically significant alerts.
A recent case series highlights the risk of EpiPen-related injuries in children, particularly thigh lacerations and embedded needles. The study recommends improving product design and instructions for use to reduce these risks, citing a safer alternative device as Auvi-Q.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that irrigation of cutaneous abscesses did not improve treatment success and may even increase the risk of microbiologic contamination. The study suggests that this procedure may not be necessary, potentially saving time and resources for emergency departments.
A 11-year study in Maryland showed that changes to trauma triage protocols decreased helicopter transport for trauma patients while improving patient outcomes. Ground transport increased by 33%, saving the state considerable money.
A study found that commercial electronic health records (EHRs) increased emergency physicians' tasks performed per minute by nearly 12 percent, leading to potential patient safety hazards. The introduction of a commercial EHR imposed cognitive burdens on physicians, causing stress and frustration.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that neighborhood characteristics have a lesser impact on EMS activation for stroke than stroke severity or individual factors. Most patients arrived at the ER within 3 hours, but only about half used EMS, with lower stroke severity and younger age being key determinants.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that children with broken bones or joint dislocations in northern Israel received equal pain relief, regardless of their ethnicity. The study, which lasted four years, including an 11-week period of armed conflict, showed that opioid therapy was administered to nearly all children...
A study found that 10.3% of patients tested positive for HCV, with 70% confirmed as chronically infected, while only 24% had prior knowledge of the infection. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and liver cancer.
A workgroup published five primary recommendations to maximize health information exchange value in emergency departments, including physician involvement and standardized data elements. Seven secondary recommendations aimed to improve HIE for emergency physicians, focusing on data quality and access.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that only 77% of patients accurately assessed their ability to perform tasks after visiting emergency departments. This highlights the need for direct assessments rather than relying on patient statements about abilities.
A new clinical trial found that tamsulosin improves the passage of larger kidney stones, with 83.3% of patients treated with the medication passing their stones compared to 61% on placebo. However, for small kidney stones, time remains the best cure, according to lead author Jeremy Furyk.
The Low Risk Ankle Rule reduces unnecessary radiation exposure and healthcare costs for children with ankle injuries. Implementing the rule leads to a 22.9% decrease in x-ray orders and $36.93 less in healthcare costs.
A study found that over half of seniors injured in motor vehicle crashes were still taking pain medication six months later. The results highlighted the need for effective management of acute pain in older adults to prevent negative consequences on function and quality of life.
A new evidence-based protocol to treat acute, severe pain in emergency department patients has been shown to be effective and safe. The study found that simply asking patients if they want more pain medication resulted in satisfactory pain control for 99% of participants.
For severe salicylate poisoning, hemodialysis is the best remedy according to a comprehensive review of medical literature. Salicylate poisoning causes significant harm and death, requiring prompt treatment with dialysis.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine has reevaluated the safety of droperidol for sedating emergency patients with acute behavioral disturbance. The study found that droperidol is effective and safe when used alone, but combinations with benzodiazepines may increase adverse effects.
A new study found that nearly 50% of emergency departments have a pediatric coordinator, leading to improved readiness and a 70% national score increase since 2003. The assessment identified areas for improvement, including disaster plans and equipment availability.
A new tool uncovers some surprises in diagnosing Ebola by identifying six key symptoms: contact with an infected person, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, difficulty swallowing and absence of abdominal pain. This score can help clinicians risk-stratify patients during outbreaks.
Two new studies published in Annals of Emergency Medicine explore the use of social media to promote dialogue around global emergency medicine. The studies, conducted by researchers from the American College of Emergency Physicians, establish criteria for evaluating high-quality blogs and podcasts.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to a decrease in emergency department (ED) visits among Medicare patients treated by patient-centered medical homes, with outpatient ED visits growing more slowly. However, there was no effect on rates of inpatient hospitalization, which is significantly more expensive.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that physicians and patients significantly overestimated the risk of heart attack and death from acute coronary syndrome. Despite discussions about risk, patients' assessment of their risk remained unchanged or increased, highlighting ineffective patient-physician communication.
A teenager returned from a discotheque with classic stroke symptoms was actually diagnosed with Lyme disease due to elevated white blood cell counts in spinal fluid. The patient improved immediately after antibacterial and antiviral treatment began.
A study assessed self-care barriers in acute heart failure patients returning to the ER. Common barriers include co-morbidities, physical disability, and knowledge about disease. Addressing these social determinants can improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions.
Poisoning from prescription drugs and emerging substances like 'bath salts' and laundry detergent pods led to millions of human poison exposures in the US. In 2012, poison centers reported 2.2 million exposures, with children and teenagers being disproportionately affected.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that Internet searches on a regional medical website can predict emergency department visits with an error rate of 4.8%. This correlation was strongest for the entire county, suggesting that Internet data may be used to forecast emergency department demand.
A randomized controlled trial found that intranasal ketamine is effective in treating moderate to severe pain in children with limb injuries. The study showed improved pain relief and satisfaction rates compared to fentanyl, with fewer adverse events reported for ketamine.
A study found that fear of police, language barriers, and lack of knowledge about cardiac arrest symptoms hinder Latinos from seeking emergency medical help. The participants also expressed strong reticence about performing CPR due to cultural fears and misconceptions.
According to a study by American College of Emergency Physicians, discharged patients often return to the emergency department because they're anxious about their symptoms. The main reasons cited are fear or uncertainty about their medical condition, distrust in the healthcare system, and difficulties accessing care due to lack of insu...
Emergency physicians face a growing concern of acetyl fentanyl overdoses due to its potency and potential for adulteration in street drugs marketed as heroin. The lack of regulation around acetyl fentanyl creates an environment where it can be easily distributed through networks, posing a significant risk to users.
A study found that nearly three-quarters of older adults with malnutrition had never been diagnosed, highlighting the importance of screening in emergency departments. Factors contributing to malnutrition include depression, difficulty buying groceries, and denture problems.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine suggests that pelvic X-rays are not necessary for most children with blunt force trauma. The study found that abdominal/pelvic CT scans are a superior diagnostic test for diagnosing children with pelvic fractures or dislocations, increasing accuracy and reducing radiation exposure.
A new Arizona EMS system dramatically increased cardiac arrest survival rates, with a 60% increase in four-year period. The system sent patients to specialized cardiac receiving centers, significantly improving neurological outcomes and survival chances.
A systematic review of 10 studies confirms ketamine's safety in critically ill patients, providing analgesia, sedation, and amnesia without significant increases in intracranial pressure or neurological outcomes. The findings support the use of ketamine as a routine treatment for life-threatening infections and unconscious patients.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that mobile phone text messages after an ER visit reduced binge drinking in young adults by over 50%. The intervention, which included text message queries and feedback, led to a 51% decrease in self-reported binge drinking days.
According to a new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine, nearly all emergency patients who reported using any drug other than marijuana had problem drug use. The study found that 46.6% of cannabis users met the criteria for having a drug problem, with most also showing signs of addiction and substance abuse.
A study found that one in six adolescents who visited the emergency department experienced dating violence. Factors associated with dating violence included African-American race, alcohol misuse, and depression. The study highlights the need for screening and intervention among youth to prevent future adult intimate partner violence.
A study of homeless, alcohol-dependent patients reveals that they often begin drinking as children, with most reporting abuse or neglect in their childhood homes. The majority of patients were unemployed and had entered detoxification programs multiple times before the study.
A study by Maricopa Integrated Health System found that nearly one-quarter of ER patients with confirmed HIV diagnosis have acute infections and over one-quarter have advanced to AIDS. The results emphasize the importance of early detection and interventions to extend life and minimize transmission risk.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found no correlation between painkillers, including opiates, and patient satisfaction scores in emergency departments. Instead, factors such as increasing age and male gender were linked to higher satisfaction scores.
A study found a small but consistent increase in emergency department visits after Massachusetts implemented its first-in-the-nation law to expand health care insurance coverage. The data showed an average annual increase of 1.2% in ER visits between 2006 and 2007, which rose to 2.2% by 2009.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that states decriminalizing marijuana saw a dramatic increase in children requiring medical intervention at emergency rooms. High-dose edible products containing tetrahydrocannabinol were identified as a significant contributor to these incidents.