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Simple consultations in emergency room can help patients manage high blood pressure

A study from the University of Illinois Chicago found that simple consultations during emergency room visits can significantly lower blood pressures and improve hypertension management. The intervention, which included smartphone-paired blood pressure monitors, was particularly effective for patients from underrepresented backgrounds, ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJAMA Cardiology·DateApr 24, 2025

One-third of older Canadians at nutritional risk, study finds

A new study found that one-third of Canadian adults aged 55 or older are nutritionally at risk, potentially leading to increased hospital stays and emergency visits. The SCREEN-8 tool was used to measure an individual's nutrition risk, and those with higher scores had significantly lower odds of reporting healthcare issues.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalApplied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism·DateMar 4, 2025

Increase in air pollution corresponds with more patients at the hospital emergency department

Research finds that increases in air pollution levels correspond with a higher number of patients visiting the hospital emergency department, particularly for cases of trauma, breathing difficulties, and skin conditions. The study suggests that heavy traffic is directly responsible for increased trauma cases and indirectly contributes ...

Black, Hispanic, and American Indian adolescents likelier than white adolescents to be tested for drugs, alcohol at pediatric trauma centers

A study by researchers at UCLA found that Black, Hispanic, and American Indian adolescents are more likely to be tested for drugs and alcohol than white adolescents at pediatric trauma centers. The study suggests that clinician biases may contribute to these disparities.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 4, 2024

Air pollution harms mental health worse in New York’s historically redlined neighborhoods

Researchers found a significant association between air pollutant exposure and emergency room visits for mental disorders in communities that were once denied mortgages due to race. Elevated levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in these neighborhoods increased ER visits by 1.04% and 0.44%, respectively.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalScience of The Total Environment·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 22, 2024

Asthma emergencies spike when allergenic pollen blooms

A new Cornell University study reveals that asthma-related emergency room visits spike significantly during periods of high allergenic pollen bloom in metropolitan areas. The research highlights the importance of science-based pollen forecasts to alert vulnerable individuals and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations.

SourceCornell University·JournalEnvironmental Research·DateAug 7, 2024

Sex bias in pain management at emergency departments new study reveals

A new study found a significant sex bias in pain management at emergency departments, with female patients consistently receiving fewer pain medication prescriptions compared to male patients. Female patients also spend more time in the emergency department and have their pain scores less frequently recorded.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 5, 2024

Are AI-chatbots suitable for hospitals?

A study found that large language models, despite accuracy in medical exams, fail to consistently request necessary examinations and often deviate from treatment guidelines. In comparison to human doctors, AI diagnoses achieved lower accuracy rates, highlighting concerns about their suitability for everyday clinical practice.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 22, 2024

Trained peers are as effective as clinical social workers in reducing opioid overdose, new trial finds

A randomized controlled trial found that support from a peer recovery support specialist was as effective in reducing opioid overdose as support from a licensed clinical social worker. The trial included 648 ED patients at high risk of opioid overdose and showed no significant difference between the two groups in fatal opioid overdoses.

SourceSociety for the Study of Addiction·JournalAddiction·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 11, 2024

Study identifies racial and gender disparities in youth psychiatric emergency department boarding

A new study has identified significant racial and gender disparities in youth psychiatric emergency department boarding rates, with Black youth being less likely to be admitted to inpatient care. Transgender and nonbinary youth experienced longer boarding times and lower admission rates compared to cisgender females.

SourceMcLean Hospital·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 8, 2024

Standardized protocols help hospitals treat strokes faster, WVU research finds

Researchers found that hospitals that implemented standardized protocols from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association saw significant reductions in stroke treatment times. The protocols, which include specific limits on time between symptom onset and hospital arrival, helped medical teams respond more quickly to ...

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalJournal of Operations Management·DateJun 24, 2024

Leading the way in nursing home care

Marilyn Rantz's Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO) improves care quality in nursing homes, reducing avoidable hospitalizations. The program is now being emulated nationwide for its proven track record of success.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 24, 2024

Investigating organ donation practices following extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Researchers investigate organ donation practices after extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), finding delayed organ procurement intervals and lower lung graft survival rates in ECPR groups. The study suggests using ECPR may address the organ shortage crisis by increasing viable organs for transplantation.

SourceOkayama University·JournalCritical Care·TypeObservational study·DateJun 19, 2024

Injury prediction rule could decrease radiographic imaging exposure in children, study shows

Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital developed a highly accurate prediction rule to identify children at risk of cervical spine injuries, allowing for reduced use of CT scans and decreased radiation exposure. The rule is easy to use and relies solely on symptoms and physical examination, with the potential to improve clinical ...

SourceNationwide Children's Hospital·JournalThe Lancet Child & Adolescent Health·TypeObservational study·DateJun 4, 2024

CU Anschutz researchers hope to bridge gap in care and treatment for heart disease in women

Researchers at CU Anschutz Medical Campus identified key elements to improve diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women, addressing the common misdiagnosis of heart attacks. The new guidelines provide recommendations to help clinicians better address sex-specific symptoms and treatments.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Women s Health·DateMay 21, 2024

Better medical record-keeping needed to fight antibiotic overuse, studies suggest

New studies by University of Michigan physicians highlight the need for improved diagnosis coding to target efforts to optimize antibiotic use and reduce risk. Inappropriate prescriptions occur in up to 35% of adults treated in emergency departments, with similar rates seen in clinics serving Medicaid patients.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAntimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2024

ChatGPT fails at heart risk assessment

A study by Washington State University found ChatGPT's generative AI system provided inconsistent heart risk assessments for patients with chest pain. The AI failed to match traditional methods used by physicians and returned different results for the same patient data, highlighting its limitations in high-stakes clinical situations.

SourceWashington State University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 1, 2024

Mount Sinai ophthalmologists develop novel protocol to rapidly diagnose and treat eye stroke

Researchers at Mount Sinai Health System developed a novel protocol for rapid diagnosis of eye stroke, improving outcomes and preserving vision. The protocol uses high-resolution retinal imaging in emergency rooms, along with remote consultation, to confirm diagnosis and expedite care.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalOphthalmology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 13, 2024

Researchers examine accuracy of adult body weight estimates in the emergency department

A systematic review of 95 studies found that 3D camera system estimates, patient self-estimates, and the Lorenz method are accurate for estimating adult body weight. However, no method is foolproof, and alternative strategies should be available when patients are unable to provide an estimate.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Emergency Medicine·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 16, 2024

If a piece of Turkey gets stuck in your throat this Christmas, there is no point in trying to free it with Cola

A study published in the BMJ Christmas Issue investigated the effectiveness of cola in loosening stuck food in the oesophagus. The results show no significant improvement, with only 61% of patients experiencing relief on their own. Cola use was found to have no side effects or complications.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalThe BMJ·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 11, 2023

Novel screening tool and recovery program may help reduce mental health problems after trauma

A novel mental health risk screen for hospitalized patients accurately predicts mental health outcomes, with 10 items correctly identifying 75% of those who later developed mental health issues. A tailored recovery program can also be effective in reducing mental health problems after trauma, increasing health equity among historically...

SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateDec 1, 2023

Women stroke survivors believe they will receive worse care in the emergency room

A national study of approximately 3,500 women found that those with a history of stroke are more likely to believe they won't receive adequate emergency care due to their gender and race. This perception may lead to delays in treatment for stroke patients, highlighting the need for improved healthcare equity.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalStroke·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 6, 2023

How to keep people out of the emergency room

A new study co-authored by MIT economist Jonathan Gruber found that a New York City program helped arrange medical appointments for undocumented immigrants with limited incomes, leading to a substantial drop in emergency room use. The program resulted in a 21 percent decline in ER visits and a 42 percent decrease for individuals with h...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalAmerican Economic Review·DateSep 19, 2023

Community health workers improved homebound care during pandemic

A program integrated community health workers into patient outreach to improve health, doubling annual visits to older adults with type 2 diabetes and dementia. The program resulted in a 17% reduction in hospital admissions and an 11% decline in emergency room visits among homebound patients.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 24, 2023