A Michigan Medicine study found that only 7.4% of patients received naloxone and 8.5% received buprenorphine prescriptions within 30 days of an opioid overdose. The low rates highlight missed opportunities for equipping patients with rescue medicines to use in case of future overdoses.
Researchers found no significant difference in mortality rates between rural and urban emergency departments for life-threatening conditions like stroke and heart attack. Despite facing funding challenges, rural ERs have proven lifesaving for patients treated at these facilities.
A University at Buffalo study explores how social and economic characteristics influence hospital readmissions and health inequity in the US. The research found that patients with lower household income, male gender, or treated in urban hospitals have a higher risk of being readmitted within a month of discharge.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that COVID-19 public health measures, such as social distancing and travel restrictions, were associated with a decrease in pink eye emergency department visits. The findings suggest these measures may have helped reduce the spread of infectious conjunctivitis.
A new study by Intermountain Healthcare finds that nearly 40% of patients reported new or continuing symptoms of depression during the pandemic. This increase in depression was associated with higher emergency department visits for anxiety and chest pain, highlighting the negative impact of the pandemic on physical and mental well-being.
A new study found that low-dose CT scans are as accurate as standard-dose scans in diagnosing appendicitis and differentiating between uncomplicated and complicated cases. This breakthrough could lead to reduced radiation exposure for young patients, improving treatment outcomes.
A new predictive tool has been developed to identify patients most at risk of experiencing a delayed discharge from hospital. The eight-variable model uses data collected when patients are admitted to hospital and is currently being piloted at Royal Stoke University Hospital.
US emergency department spending grew to $136.6 billion in 2016, with road injuries and falls accounting for the highest amount of ED spending. The study found that ED spending per visit increased at an annualized rate of 3.4% over the decade.
A recent study found that COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant increases in bicycle-related injuries and gun-related injuries across four US cities. Trauma cases at Level I trauma centers showed a 100% rise in bicycle-related trauma rates and a 23.5% increase in gunshot wounds.
Research found that horse riding has a higher risk of serious injury compared to other high-risk activities. The study analyzed data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open journal, revealing that chest injuries were the most common site, but head and neck injuries were the most lethal.
A study analyzing 60 US emergency departments found medication harms were a common cause of visits in 2017-2019, with variation in products and patient age. The data highlighted the need for improved safety measures and monitoring systems to mitigate such incidents.
Researchers found a significant increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors among children and teens during the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency department encounters for these individuals also saw a substantial rise, highlighting the need for improved mental health support services.
Rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for assault increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada. Researchers attribute the rise to increased domestic violence due to lockdowns and social distancing measures.
The American College of Surgeons proposes four strategies to address the root causes of violence, including investing in at-risk communities and advocating for policy changes. Trauma Informed Care is a key feature of these strategies, aiming to foster empowerment and partnership with patients.
Recent Mayo Clinic research reveals a significant increase in opioid overdose-related emergency department visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Opioid overdoses accounted for 1 in every 313 visits, up from 1 in every 400 visits in previous years.
Researchers developed a peer-led intervention called the Bridge that helps patients prioritize their health, access healthcare, and develop skills to self-manage their health. The approach showed a 50% reduction in emergency room use for participants in the intervention group.
By integrating telemedicine, physicians at MUSC Health have shortened the time between stroke symptom onset and treatment by 15-20 minutes. This reduces complications from tPA and improves functional outcomes for patients.
A pre-pandemic study on telemedicine use in a California senior living community found that despite low intervention uptake, residents valued avoiding emergency room visits due to wait times and costs. However, frontline staff perceived the program as not valuable, highlighting the need for cultural shifts among healthcare professionals.
Research examines the role of transforming cardiovascular care in rural clinics, optimizing emergency room use, and successful adoption of virtual care. Studies show that hybrid models can provide more than 30% virtual care after COVID-19 restrictions lift, while also reducing unnecessary ER visits by 55.7%.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, trauma centers developed innovative processes to optimize use of personal protective equipment, ICU beds, and ventilators. These measures enabled the provision of critical trauma services while protecting healthcare teams.
A recent study found that pallets are responsible for over 30,000 hospital emergency room visits in the US due to unintentional contact. The majority of injured individuals were between 35-44 years old, with children under 18 and elderly people also at risk.
A highly unusual case of a right-handed patient performing unconscious 'mirror-writing' with her left hand while in the midst of having epileptic seizures was reported by doctors. The study, published at Euroanaesthesia, suggests that mirror writing may occur in patients with epilepsy affecting one limb.
A recent study by Washington State University's Bidisha Mandal found that the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion program has reduced the number of uninsured low-income residents, particularly in rural areas. However, the likelihood of repeated emergency room visits for non-urgent reasons has not decreased.
Researchers have developed a machine learning model that analyzes speech and facial movements to diagnose strokes with high accuracy, potentially saving valuable time in diagnosing the condition. The tool was tested on over 80 patients and achieved 79% accuracy comparable to clinical diagnostics by emergency room doctors.
A new study published in INFORMS Journal found that increasing telemedicine availability in emergency rooms (ERs) can significantly reduce average patients' length of stay and waiting time. This improvement comes without compromising care quality or patient cost, offering a promising solution to ER congestion.
The study found that non-physician team members, particularly Army reservists, spent more time treating patients in civilian centers than active duty members. The researchers highlighted the importance of integrating active duty FRST members into civilian trauma centers to provide optimal training and care before deployment.
A new study suggests that as lockdowns took effect, COVID-19 patients' viral loads decreased, leading to lower proportions requiring intensive care. This association may be linked to the previously observed relationship between viral load and less severe clinical manifestations.
A study published in Population Health Management found that socially isolated elderly individuals are more likely to experience future hospital admissions and emergency room visits. The research highlights the importance of providing support services to prevent unnecessary healthcare utilization.
A recent study found that social distancing measures significantly decreased paediatric emergency room visits and hospital referrals due to viral respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. The incidence of lower respiratory tract infections decreased by around one-fifth.
A new survey found that 53% of Americans know some or a lot about burn injuries and treatment, but many are unaware of common risks like applying ice to burns. The survey highlights the importance of being aware of fire-related hazards during summer activities like grilling and using fireworks.
Researchers developed a novel clinical decision support system to predict individual trauma patient outcome based on historical data and real-world evidence. The system uses an evidential reasoning rule to process clinical signs and symptoms, identifying patients at risk of adverse events such as ICU admission or in-hospital death.
A simulated patient study in Northern California found that counties with limited new patient primary care appointments had higher rates of Medi-Cal patients' emergency room usage. Adequate access to primary care is crucial for improving health outcomes and controlling costs among Medicaid expansion beneficiaries.
A new protocol using highly sensitive blood tests can quickly determine whether someone is having a heart attack, allowing for efficient evaluation of patients with possible heart attacks. The study found that the process can 'rule out' heart attacks within one hour in over half of patients.
Researchers found that most mass shootings (71.1%) occurred more than 10 miles from a pediatric trauma center, highlighting the need for preparedness and resources in all hospitals.
Nontrauma center hospitals are disproportionately close to mass shootings in the US, according to a recent study published in JAMA Surgery. The researchers found that these hospitals were the nearest to most of the mass shootings that occurred in 2019, with an average distance of just 1.8 miles.
Emergency medicine physicians at MCG are equipping rural hospitals with mobile carts for remote consultation and basic diagnostic tests, guided by MCG physicians. This partnership aims to enable rural hospitals to provide higher-level emergency care, reducing transfers to larger hospitals.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researcher Daniel S. Nagin found a strong positive correlation between statewide gun ownership and police use of lethal force, suggesting that more guns lead to more police shootings. The analysis also showed that access to trauma centers can lower rates of deaths in police encounters.
A novel intervention integrating psychological values-based approach with coordinated care management significantly improved daily functioning for vulnerable patients. The 'values-based' approach identified patients' values and goals to engage them in appropriate care, reducing hospital costs and improving quality of life.
Patients managing their health via electronic patient portals had fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Access to the portal was associated with more outpatient office visits, fewer emergency department visits, and fewer preventable hospital stays in patients with multiple complex chronic conditions.
A study of 1,154 patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) found that more mTBI patients reported limitations at 12 months post-injury compared to those with orthopedic injuries. At this time, 47% of mTBI patients and 62% of control group patients had returned to full pre-injury functioning.
A new study found that African American men are more likely to visit a doctor's office or clinic for healthcare due to higher threat sensitivity and having insurance. In contrast, those with lower threat sensitivity and no usual place for healthcare were more likely to frequent the emergency room.
Residents of historically redlined neighborhoods are more than twice as likely to visit emergency rooms for asthma, with significantly higher levels of diesel particulate matter in the air. Poverty and psychosocial stresses associated with living in divested neighborhoods also contribute to the disparity.
A digital procedural checklist for trauma centers has been developed and implemented, supporting trauma teams without hindering performance. The checklist, which includes over 55 tasks, was designed through years of collaborative research and testing, and its use in real trauma settings showed positive results.
Research from the UBC Sauder School of Business reveals that emergency patient acuity levels sometimes come second to wait time targets. Once wait time targets have passed, patient acuity levels are considered more seriously. The study's authors suggest revising policy guidelines to weigh wait times against patient acuity levels.
Researchers analyzed firearm-injured patients arriving at Philadelphia-area hospitals within 15 minutes of each other, revealing 54 cluster events over 11 years. These clusters were more likely to occur at night and be female, with lower mortality rates than traditional mass shootings.
Black-majority neighborhoods in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago face disparities in access to trauma centers, with racial/ethnic disparities only significant in New York after accounting for poverty. The study suggests trauma planning should address racial equity, particularly in densely populated areas like New York.
A new study finds that urban African-Americans are significantly more likely to live in trauma deserts with limited access to advanced emergency medical care. The introduction of UChicago Medicine's Level 1 Trauma Center has reduced Chicago's disparity sevenfold, but racial disparities persist in New York City and Los Angeles.
Researchers used AI to analyze electronic health records and identified 16 medical concepts predicting alcohol misuse in 78% of cases. This method could overcome staffing and patient barriers for screening and referral programs at trauma centers.
A University of Iowa study found that rural hospitals using tele-medicine to back up their emergency room health care providers save an average of $117,000 annually in healthcare provider costs. This model also helps recruit new physicians by offering better work-life balance and reducing burnout.
A study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that air pollution from ozone and fine particulate matter may be responsible for nine to 33 million emergency room visits globally. The research suggests that policies aimed at cleaning up the air can reduce the global burden of asthma.
A new study mapped the incidence of motor vehicle collisions resulting in children's deaths across the US, revealing wide variations in mortality rates between states and counties. The researchers identified proximity to trauma centers and emergency response times as key factors influencing child mortality.
Research finds that states with poor access to a comprehensive trauma center have more deaths occurring before injured patients arrive at a hospital. Improving access to care and reducing prehospital deaths can lead to lower overall trauma-related mortality.
A global update on medically significant scorpions reveals over 100 species across dozens of countries, with key clusters in Asia, Africa, and South America. The study also highlights the need for improved communication between clinicians and scientists to combat misinformation and enhance research.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Maryland Health Enterprise Zones linked to significant reductions in inpatient stays (18,562 fewer) and overall health care cost savings ($93 million). Despite a jump in emergency room visits, the initiative brought large net cost savings.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that urgent care visits have increased significantly while emergency room visits for low-acuity conditions have decreased by 36 percent between 2008 and 2015. The growth of urgent care centers is attributed to their convenience, shorter wait times, and lower costs.
A new high-sensitivity blood test for cardiac troponin has been found safe and effective in diagnosing heart attacks faster than traditional methods. The test ruled out heart attack in 30-83.8% of patients within three hours, compared to 80.4% with conventional testing.
A nationwide study found that over half of concussion patients are lost in the healthcare system shortly after diagnosis, posing a significant risk to their health. The lack of follow-up care is particularly concerning, as it can lead to debilitating symptoms and prolonged recovery times.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine analysis shows that trauma patients are four times more likely to die from gunshot wounds and nearly nine times more likely to die from stab wounds before getting to a trauma center. The increased prehospital mortality suggests that violence is intensifying.
Depression affects cardiovascular disease patients, leading to poorer healthcare experiences, increased healthcare resource use, and higher health costs. Studies found that undiagnosed depression in cardiovascular patients can result in worse healthcare-related quality of life and more emergency room visits.
A new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that patients under 65 who are taken to a trauma center have a higher chance of being favorably discharged, while those over 65 have a lower risk of mortality. The study also highlights a serious care disparity for these severely injured patients.