Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine aim to reduce falls and adverse drug events among older adults by using personalized approach tailored to individual genetic profiles.
Researchers will analyze course of illness, confirm ingested substances, and provide real-time data for better care. The study aims to predict effects of emerging opioids and deliver timely alerts to doctors and public health agencies.
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, ...
Researchers evaluated different types of Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) scores among US trauma center patients. They found that GOSE-All scores capture the combined effect of brain and extracranial injuries, while GOSE-TBI scores exclude extracranial injury effects.
A lack of access to dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in hospital visits for children's painful dental issues. Research found a 62% increase in emergency department visits from Medicaid-insured kids, with young children being seen twice as often.
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.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can rapidly distinguish between brain bleeds and clot-caused strokes, even before patients arrive at the hospital. This test uses glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels to differentiate between hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes, which can lead to opposite treatments.
A new study comparing early restrictive vs liberal oxygen for trauma patients found no significant reduction in death and/or major respiratory complications within 30 days. The study suggests that the choice of oxygen strategy may not be as critical in trauma care.
Researchers found that intravenous administration of immunomodulatory nanoparticles after TBI can limit inflammatory cell infiltration and reduce behavioral decline and lesion size. The treatment was shown to be safe without noticeable toxicity in mice.
Two studies reveal that anaphylaxis management remains unclear, with only 14% of respondents confident in using epinephrine. EMS protocols also vary widely, with outdated definitions and inadequate recommendations for treatment.
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 ...
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.
Researchers found that higher buprenorphine doses (>16 to 24 mg) were associated with lower rates of future behavioral health-related emergency department and inpatient care. Higher doses (more than 24 mg) resulted in an additional 50% reduction in subsequent emergency or inpatient visits.
The Arizona Center for Rural Health has been awarded two $4.4 million HRSA grants to improve health services in rural communities. The grants will support Critical Access Hospitals and EMS providers through training programs, data collection, and operational improvements.
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.
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.
Trauma centers in Southern California reported an increase in cerebrovascular, orthopedic, and spinal injuries caused by border wall falls. Most patients (85%) were discharged outside the San Diego area, despite having severe injuries, highlighting a humanitarian crisis with inadequate follow-up care.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new outreach program, NESTS, has been developed to address the unique needs of Spanish-speaking trauma patients. The program connects patients with follow-up care, community resources, and social services, helping to improve their recovery outcomes.
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 ...
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.
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.
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 ...
A study from Alberta, Canada found that clinic continuity is associated with reduced hospital visits and emergency department usage. Patients who see the same family physician or clinic group experience fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits.
A study by Washington State University found that treating minor illnesses at pharmacies can be effective and cost-saving, with patients recovering from almost all their ailments after a single visit. The research suggests expanding pharmacists' clinical services could improve healthcare access and reduce costs.
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.
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.
A pediatric observation unit with a psychiatric comanagement model significantly lowers pediatric emergency department length of stay and inpatient psychiatric admission rates. This innovative approach also avoids contributing to 30-day readmission rates, presenting potential savings for inpatient psychiatric resources.
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.
A new study reveals that pediatric emergency departments miss signs of epilepsy in two-thirds of cases. Nonmotor seizures, which cause 'zones out' behavior, are often overlooked due to similarities with anxiety and panic attacks.
A new UCLA Health study found that undocumented Latinx patients who sought care in emergency rooms during the pandemic received the COVID-19 vaccine at the same rate as U.S. citizens. The group had higher rates of prior COVID-19 infection compared to other groups.
A study using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data shows both frailty and type of surgical procedure impact postoperative outcomes among elderly patients. Procedure type and its risk level have a greater effect on complications and death.
A Texas A&M University study found that freestanding emergency departments in Texas treat younger, healthier patients with moderate and low-intensity issues. The facilities handle nearly one quarter of all emergency department visits in the state and incur similar costs to hospital EDs.
A new national poll finds that 60% of people aged 50-80 have visited urgent care clinics or retail clinics for medical care in the past two years. Many sought immediate attention, vaccinations, or tests, and 75% plan to use these sites again in the next two years.
Research highlights treating anxiety and depression in people with heart disease can significantly reduce emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and even death. The study found that talk therapy and antidepressant medications improved heart outcomes among those with blocked arteries or heart failure.
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.
A new study reveals significant variations in emergency medical service (EMS) performance across urban and rural communities. EMS systems often focus on response times rather than patient-specific clinical care, leading to inconsistent quality of care.
A recent study reveals significant disparities in emergency department use among transgender and cisgender Medicare beneficiaries. The findings highlight increased utilization of emergent services, particularly for psychological care, which are more likely to lead to hospital admissions.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that opioid prescription limits are effective in reducing prescription length when set according to the type of doctor visit. The study, which analyzed data from West Virginia from 2017-2019, showed a significant reduction in prescription lengths for patients in hospital and outpatient settings.
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.
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.
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...
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.
Trauma centers with high pediatric readiness scores (93 or higher) have much lower death rates than those with lower scores. The study highlights the importance of addressing gaps in pediatric emergency care, particularly the lack of a pediatric-specific quality improvement plan.
A new technique to control severe bleeding in injured patients has been found to increase the risk of death. The REBOA treatment was tested in a clinical trial involving 90 adult trauma patients, but it did not show the expected benefits.
Researchers analyzed 249,000 emergency department visits and found that patients of color received lower acute scores despite similar workups. Clinical decision support systems may help reduce these disparities, but require careful calibration to avoid bias.
Researchers found that etripamil nasal spray restored normal heart rhythms within 30 minutes in 54% of patients, making it a potential new option for self-treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. The study showed the medication to be safe and well-tolerated.
The Massive Transfusion in Children-II (MATIC-II) clinical trial will test multiple interventions for life-threatening bleeding in children. The trial aims to determine the most effective and safe bundle of care for pediatric trauma patients, with a focus on precision transfusion medicine.
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...
A new study by UCSF researchers has found that people who use both cannabis and tobacco have significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety than those who use either substance alone or not at all. The study analyzed data from 53,843 Americans and found that among dual users, 26.5% reported anxiety and 28.3% reported depression.
A study found large increases in cannabis-involved traffic injury emergency department visits in Ontario, Canada. The research suggests that commercialization of non-medical cannabis may have accelerated these incidents, highlighting the need for greater prevention efforts.
A large-scale study of 633,000 children found that increased pediatric readiness in emergency departments decreased overall mortality, but had little effect on racial disparities. Black children were more likely to die from acute medical emergencies compared to white children.
A new study from the University of Chicago Medicine reveals that nearly 75% of acute stroke patients wait over two hours to be transferred to a comprehensive stroke center. The median time between initial arrival and departure was 174 minutes, with three in four patients waiting longer than the recommended maximum of 120 minutes.
Patients with caregivers at higher depression risk experienced poorer quality of life and increased emergency department use. Additional caregiving resources could improve patient outcomes in Parkinson's disease.
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.
A study of 73,000 emergency department visits and hospitalizations found seasonal patterns in suicidality among children and adolescents. After COVID-19-related school closures, an unexpected decrease in suicidality was observed, suggesting a potential link to the school calendar.
A study by Harvard Medical School found a sharp increase in young people visiting hospital emergency departments for mental health crises during the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend, driven by a surge in girls' visits, highlights the critical need for policies to increase resources for mental health care.