Articles tagged with Emergency Rooms
A Stanford study analyzing over 4,500 trauma cases found that insured patients are more likely to be admitted to non-trauma centers and receive worse care. This is because hospitals may admit insured patients to generate revenue, despite the risk of sub-optimal care.
Rates of traumatic spinal cord injuries are rising fastest among those over 65, with falls being the leading cause. The average age of injured adults has increased from 41 to 51, and fatalities are more common in older individuals.
A unique study on Oregon's citizens found that adults covered by Medicaid use emergency rooms 40% more than those without health insurance. The research sheds light on the inner workings of healthcare in the US, challenging traditional economics frameworks suggesting that insurance would decrease medical care usage.
The Affordable Care Act authorizes $100 million in annual grants to help defray substantial uncompensated care costs, further the core mission of trauma centers, and provide emergency relief. Trauma systems emphasize coordination among multiple health care professionals and institutions across the continuum of care.
A new study suggests that asthma inhalers with dose counters can significantly reduce emergency room visits by 55 percent. The study found that patients who use these inhalers are more likely to know if they have enough medication left and receive timely treatment, resulting in fewer severe attacks. According to the American College of...
A study found that elderly patients with severe injuries, such as falls or motor vehicle accidents, are often undertriaged and sent to non-trauma centers despite having a higher risk of mortality. Trauma centers provide specialized care, resulting in lower mortality rates and shorter hospital stays.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine studied 589 adults and found no association between marijuana frequency and health status, healthcare utilization, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or medical diagnoses.
A new Johns Hopkins research study reveals that nearly 80% of trauma centers treating predominantly minority patients have higher-than-expected death rates. Meanwhile, trauma patients of all races are 40% less likely to die if treated at hospitals with lower-than-expected mortality rates, which mostly serve white patients.
A study published in Health Affairs found that over 85,000 minimally injured patients were sent to major trauma hospitals despite not needing them, resulting in excessive costs. The study suggests that early decisions in the healthcare process can lead to higher costs downstream.
A new study finds that half a billion dollars could be saved annually by using bedside physical exams to identify patients who truly need imaging tests instead of routine head CT scans. Emergency room physicians can confidently diagnose benign inner-ear disorders, freeing up resources for those who need stroke diagnosis.
A nationwide study estimates over 1,500 pedestrians were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to cell phone use while walking in 2010. Young people aged 16-25 were most likely to be injured as distracted pedestrians, with talking on the phone accounting for 69% of injuries.
The study analyzed patients with prior organ transplants and found that their outcomes after traumatic injury are not worse than those of non-transplanted patients. Transplanted organs were rarely injured in traumatic events, and immunosuppression may have played a role in protecting organs from inflammation.
Overweight and obese patients are more likely to repeatedly change primary care doctors, leading to increased emergency room visits. The practice of 'doctor shopping' disrupts continuity of care and can compromise the health of these patients.
A new study of almost 100,000 patients found that women with severe injuries were significantly less likely to be treated in a trauma center compared to men. The study also revealed differences in treatment patterns among women aged 65 or older and those with fall-related or motor vehicle-related injuries.
Emergency departments are now responsible for half of all hospital admissions in the US, accounting for nearly all growth in hospital admissions between 2003 and 2009. Despite evidence that people with chronic conditions visit emergency departments more frequently, hospital admissions for these conditions have remained flat.
Two new studies from Henry Ford Hospital found that hematuria, or blood in the urine, contributes significantly to emergency room costs. Imaging procedures for hematuria result in an estimated $75 million annual increase in ED charges.
Researchers found that if 90% of seriously injured patients survive with ground transport, 91.6 need to survive with helicopter transport for it to be considered cost-effective. The study aims to reduce uncertainty about the factors driving the use of critical care resources.
A study found that less than half of emergency room medical providers believe most or all suicides are preventable and rarely ask about firearm availability. This can lead to missed opportunities to save lives, as many providers think it's the responsibility of psychiatrists or social workers to address firearms.
A new UCSF study reveals large price swings in patient charges for the 10 most common outpatient conditions in emergency rooms across the country. The median charge for total outpatient conditions was $1,233, with some patients facing bills of $4 to $24,110.
A new study found nearly 18% of hospitalized patients returned to the emergency room or were readmitted within 30 days of discharge, with mental health and prostate issues having the highest rates. The study suggests that many more patients require acute medical care after hospitalization than previously recognized.
A clinical trial by UCSF researchers found that hospital MRIs are better at predicting long-term outcomes for people with mild traumatic brain injuries than CT scans. The study revealed detectable spots on MRI scans called focal lesions, which helped doctors predict persistent neurological problems in patients with 'normal' CT scans.
Researchers at Université Laval conducted a study examining the relationship between moon phases and psychological problems. They found no connection between the two, contradicting widespread beliefs. Anxiety disorders were slightly less frequent during the last lunar quarter, but this could be due to other factors.
A study by UCSF analyzed emergency department visits and found that many minor genital injuries can be prevented through educational and product safety approaches. The research identified specific age groups and consumer products as risk factors, offering insights into preventing such injuries.
A study found that using regional PACS networks for inter-hospital image transfer reduces repeat imaging rates, associated costs, and radiation exposure. The results showed a lower repeat rate of 17%, resulting in lower charges and less radiation exposure.
A Johns Hopkins review of over 38,000 patient records reveals that weekend hospital stays are associated with a higher mortality rate for older adults with head trauma. Even among patients with less severe injuries, weekend admissions resulted in 14% higher death rates compared to weekday admissions.
The YES Board reduces time required to translate data, enabling physicians to forecast patient needs and track progress. The system provides overall situational awareness, helping detect at-risk patients and forecasting patient needs.
A novel ambulatory cardiac monitor, Zio Patch, has been found to be effective in diagnosing irregular heart rhythms and preventing unnecessary follow-up care. The study showed that 59% of symptomatic patients did not have arrhythmia and may not require further work-up.
Research shows that helicopter transport of seriously injured trauma patients can be lifesaving, with a 16% higher survival rate compared to ground ambulance transport. However, the high cost of helicopter trips and potential crash risks must be carefully managed.
A recent study found that helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) improve trauma patient survival rates compared to ground emergency medical services (GEMS). The analysis of national trauma data showed that 12.6% of HEMS patients died, while 11% of GEMS patients died.
A study of over 200,000 adults with serious injuries found that helicopter transport to trauma centers was associated with improved survival rates compared to ground emergency medical services. The study also showed that patients transported by helicopter were more likely to be discharged to rehabilitation or intermediate facilities.
A study found that paramedics can identify stroke patients with a 99.3% accuracy rate, making it a reliable indicator to activate the hospital's stroke team. However, sensitivity rates are lower, indicating room for improvement in reducing time to treatment for acute stroke patients.
A 36-hour operation successfully transplanted both jaws, teeth, and tongue as part of the most extensive full face transplant to date. The procedure was led by Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez and involved a multi-disciplinary team of surgeons and medical staff.
A recent study published in the Journal of Trauma and Injury found that even after adjusting for injury severity and other factors, African-American patients have a significantly higher overall post-scene mortality rate than white patients. The study analyzed data from over 137,000 assault cases and found that black patients faced high...
A new study found that nearly one in four Americans must travel farther to a nearest trauma center due to hospital closures, especially affecting African Americans, poor and uninsured residents. The study highlights the need for policy makers to subsidize trauma centers serving vulnerable communities.
Research found that hospitals with higher proportions of minority trauma patients have increased odds of death, despite efforts to control for socioeconomic factors. The study analyzed 311,568 patients and found a significant link between hospital diversity and mortality rates.
A new study predicts a 7.3% increase in asthma-related emergency room visits for children in the NYC metropolitan area by 2030 due to climate change. The research, led by Dr. Perry Sheffield, used regional and atmospheric chemistry models to simulate ozone levels and their impact on air quality.
A study by Irish researchers found significant reductions in emergency hospital admissions due to respiratory illness and cardio-pulmonary disease after the implementation of a workplace smoking ban. The most pronounced decrease was observed in the 20- to 29-year-old age group.
A recent study found that patients who delay seeking emergency medical care for asthma exacerbations are more likely to be sicker and hospitalized than those who seek care earlier. The study also revealed that patients who postponed treatment were not more likely to consult physicians before coming to the emergency department, but rath...
A recent study found that about 73% of injured children in the US were treated outside pediatric trauma centers, with many severe and life-threatening cases not receiving adequate care. The study's authors are calling for improvements in emergency medical services to ensure the best possible outcomes for young patients
A study by Brown University researchers found that children were the victims in more than half of emergency room visits for eye injuries related to aerosol cans. The youngest children, ages 0 to 4, accounted for an estimated 2,830 emergency room visits during the study timeframe.
A study published in CMAJ found that heart attack patients with a history of depression received lower priority care in emergency departments, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This disparity may be due to healthcare staff assuming symptoms are anxiety-related rather than an actual heart attack.
A WSU study found that performing magnetic resonance imaging sooner on younger stroke patients can lower the rate of misdiagnosis and lead to faster appropriate treatment. Patients under 35 years old are at greater risk of being misdiagnosed, but arrival via ambulance reduces this risk.
A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that homeless people who don't get enough to eat have a higher risk of being hospitalized. Nearly half of hungry homeless adults had been hospitalized in the preceding year.
A significant portion of the US population lacks easy access to trauma care within an hour's drive. Vulnerable groups such as African Americans and foreign-born populations face difficulties in accessing trauma centers due to geographical constraints.
Patients transported by helicopter from accident scenes are more likely to survive than those brought to trauma centers by ground ambulance. Despite being more severely injured, they require less hospital resource utilization and ultimately fare better than those transported by ground.
Vanderbilt University researchers are developing a robot system called TriageBot to assist in emergency room triage, collect medical data, and provide tentative diagnoses. The system aims to reduce wait times, alleviate staff strain, and minimize errors.
A digital version of the Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape has been created to improve resuscitation team communications and patient safety in emergency rooms. The eBroselow software program provides access to medical instructions, medicine administration tracking, and automated calculations for fluid resuscitation.
Researchers found that transporting severely injured patients directly to trauma centers results in a significantly lower mortality rate. The study analyzed 11,398 patients and discovered that 24% more patients die if taken to non-trauma centers first.
Researchers used Six Sigma design strategy to improve ER triage process, reducing patient waiting time and length of stay. The approach sorted patients into treatment areas based on condition severity, not arrival time, resulting in significant reductions in wait times and stays.
A new report from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that trauma center care is cost-effective for patients with severe injuries and those younger than 55. The study estimates that trauma center care saves lives at a lower cost per life-year gained compared to non-trauma center care.
A University of Michigan study found that brief motivational talks in the emergency room reduced peer violence and alcohol misuse among teens by 34% and 32% respectively. The talks helped adolescents weigh the pros and cons of their choices, using role-play exercises to cope with risky situations.
A study found that daily chlorhexidine bathing in a trauma center reduced the rate of MRSA colonization and treatment-resistant bacteria infections. Patients who received chlorhexidine baths were less likely to acquire catheter-related bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by MRSA.
Researchers found that high-resolution CT-scans are the most cost-effective strategy to screen for lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) in non-smoking women between 25-54 with collapsed lung. Screening can identify LAM earlier, improving quality of life and allowing for early treatment and clinical trial enrollment.
A study found that parents of children with asthma often recognize signs of an impending attack but delay treatment, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. Researchers suggest that education and awareness can help parents identify early warning signs and take action sooner.
A study published in JACR found that on-call radiology residents can accurately interpret emergency neuroradiology CT scans after hours. The accuracy of image interpretation is crucial for diagnostic radiology, with clinicians relying solely on preliminary interpretations to make treatment decisions.
A new study published in the Journal of American College of Surgeons found that establishing an acute care surgery service can provide more efficient emergency care. The service, staffed by critical care surgeons and surgical residents, reduced wait times for urgent procedures from 55.4% to 70% after implementation.
Sonith Peou, program director of the Metta Health Center in Lowell, Mass., is one of 10 Americans chosen to receive the RWJF Community Health Leaders Award for his work on culturally competent health care services. He has helped thousands of Cambodians, Laotians, and Vietnamese access quality healthcare.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found no evidence of a 'July Phenomenon', where more medical errors occur due to new residents, despite widespread belief. The study analyzed data from a trauma registry and showed no differences in patient outcomes between July and other months.
A new study by Loyola University Health System researchers highlights the limitations of hospital report cards, particularly in neurosurgery. The mortality index used in these reports fails to account for factors such as patient mix, complex cases, and treatment of lower-risk elective versus high-risk non-elective cases.
A study found that improper use and fit of walkers and canes result in 47,000 emergency room visits annually. Physical therapists recommend assessing and fitting walking aids to prevent injuries.