Research on urgent and emergency care. Covers youth psychiatric emergencies, heat-wave response, and heat-related diagnoses.
A retrospective cohort study found that only 24 of 2,924 urgent care lumbar spine X-rays for uncomplicated low back pain were followed by emergency department advanced imaging within 30 days. Urgent care X-rays used about one-quarter of the imaging resources of emergency department CT or MRI.
The American College of Surgeons and Society of Interventional Radiology have issued a joint position statement on rapid endovascular hemorrhage control in trauma care. The statement emphasizes the importance of early consultation, shared decision-making, and coordinated activation of the full care team to speed access to hemorrhage-st...
A new AI tool, PREVIA, analyzes patients' narratives about injuries to predict who will later develop PTSD, correctly identifying over 95% of at-risk patients. This tool could help clinicians catch the condition early, as it is designed to be a quick and efficient screening method.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) has updated its cardiogenic shock classification to improve recognition and treatment response. The new framework emphasizes perfusion and patient trajectory, helping clinicians assess shock severity over time and determine if treatment is restoring adequate circulation....
A study of 55 hospitals found improved outcomes after Emergency General Surgery Verification, including lower 30-day death rates and shorter hospital stays. The program, developed by the American College of Surgeons, provides standards and infrastructure to manage high-risk patient populations and improve clinical and financial outcomes.
A national study found that cannabis was involved in the majority of substance-related emergency visits among adolescents and young adults, while alcohol predominated among older adults. The study highlights the need for better awareness of changing patterns of harm from these substances, particularly among young people.
Researchers found that despite adjusting for local case mix, primary care provision, and geography, substantial unexplained variation in hospital admission rates remained, ranging from 2% to 42%. Locally tailored strategies may reduce unnecessary admissions.
The NHS hospital crisis is exacerbated by 'corridor care', where patients are left waiting in hospital corridors or waiting areas, highlighting the need for improved capacity and social care support. The crisis has resulted in 15,860 excess deaths and 570,957 patients waiting over 12 hours for admission.
Hospitalizations for drug use-associated heart infections have declined by 18% from 2020 to 2022, primarily due to a decrease in opioid cases. Stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, are increasingly involved in these infections, particularly in the Western US, highlighting the need for improved treatment options.
Researchers found planned power shutoffs associated with increased healthcare utilization for respiratory conditions in California. When combined with wildfires, smoke exacerbated emergency department and hospital admissions for acute respiratory illnesses. Utilities must weigh health costs against wildfire-prevention benefits.
A large study found that emergency department visits and hospitalizations for substance use among young mothers increased by 5% per year, similar to rates among childless women. Young mothers under 25 drove these increases, with rates growing four times faster than among other females. The study highlights the need for better support s...
Researchers have developed a blood test that can identify brain injury severity in patients, helping clinicians escalate care. The test uses two proteins, GFAP and UCH-L1, which rise in the bloodstream after injury, and can differentiate between patients with acute brain injury and those with no evidence of pathology.
A study of 506 Japanese home care patients found that 94.7% had multimorbidity, with 57.1% having 4 or more chronic conditions. Patients with higher multimorbidity levels were more likely to require emergency home visits, highlighting the need for proactive care planning.
A nationwide database study in China found that hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy after CPR in ICUs accounted for 1.41% of all ICU admissions, with a high mortality rate of 60.65%. Regional variations in incidence and mortality rates were observed, with higher mortality among patients with multiple comorbidities and complications.
UCSF researchers analyzed 590,282 heart attack hospitalizations in California between 2011 and 2022 to find that specialized emergency services improve survival rates in communities with critical access gaps. In contrast, adding capacity where it already exists offers little benefit, highlighting the importance of resource distribution...
A study of 9,000 injury patients in Africa and South Asia found that access to care, hospital route, and service type significantly impact survival and recovery. Patients arriving by ambulance had significantly worse outcomes, challenging the assumption that faster treatment leads to better outcomes.
A global survey of over 1,100 patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers found that 69% noticed a change in their health or someone they care for within a few months of plasma-derived medicine treatment, with 77% expressing gratitude to donors. The survey also revealed high confidence in plasma-derived medicines' safety and efficacy.
A nationwide study in Singapore found that short-term increases in fine-particle air pollution are associated with more asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-related emergency department visits. The study analyzed 6.5 years of national air quality data and found a clear relationship between PM2.5 levels and admissions.
A study in pediatric critical care found adopting permissive blood pressure targets resulted in no significant difference in mortality and duration of invasive ventilation at 30 days compared to usual care. The study suggests that a more permissive approach to blood pressure management may be safe for pediatric patients in critical care.
A nasal spray treatment has shown to provide rapid and effective pain relief for children in emergency departments, with 86.2% of children experiencing reduced pain 30 minutes after treatment. The treatment was well-tolerated with mild side effects, offering a simple and effective option for treating children in the emergency department.
A blood test that compares two molecules in the blood can accurately distinguish between bacterial and viral infections in newborn babies with fever. The test showed a high sensitivity and specificity, and could potentially improve treatment and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
Researchers found that viewing natural landscapes with VR and listening to classical music reduced patients' blood pressure and anxiety. The study showed significant reductions in blood pressure and anxiety levels after 15 minutes, with no further significant difference after 60 minutes.
A new study found that drones can significantly reduce the time between cardiac arrest reporting and defibrillation, particularly in rural and congested areas. By combining fixed AEDs with drones, access times can be reduced by up to 3.76 minutes, with over 95% of cases covered within five minutes.
Death rates from treatable emergency surgeries, such as appendicitis and hernias, rose 50% between 1999 and 2020 in the US, with rural communities experiencing a significantly higher increase. The study found that these conditions are rarely fatal when treated promptly, but more working-age adults are dying from them than in the past.
A new blood test and scoring system could reduce hospital visits for patients with chest pain by up to 34% by triaging them at home or to their general practitioner. The study found that 165 patients out of 483 assessed by ambulance crews using the test and scoring system were left at home, compared to 19 out of 539 without the test.
A new AI tool predicts organ failure in acute pancreatitis with high accuracy, using multiphase CT imaging and outperforming standard scoring systems. The model achieves early automated prediction, with 55% of cases predicted at least 3 hours in advance.
A survey of 1,300 health professionals worldwide reveals that 75.5% have witnessed violence, with patients and relatives being the main perpetrators. The study highlights overcrowding as a significant contributor to violence, with many respondents reporting psychological harm and diminished quality of care.
Research found that emergency department overcrowding increases patient mortality by one percent for every ten percent increase in occupancy. The study also linked corridor care to increased risk of deaths, highlighting the need for policy makers and hospital managers to prioritize emergency care.
Researchers found that three simple cleaning methods, including dishwashing liquid, 70% alcohol, and peracetic acid, substantially reduced bacterial levels on used single-use medical devices. The study suggests that these methods could be useful in emergency situations where medical supplies are scarce.
A study from Linköping University highlights the importance of regular drills, staff safety, and communication systems in mass casualty planning. The research shows that staff training exercises enable staff to work automatically during crises, while staff safety is crucial to prevent attacks on staff and ensure system effectiveness.
A new care model incorporating longer visits has been introduced to reach Medicaid patients before they need emergency or hospital services. This model has led to reduced care use, improved chronic disease management, and lower costs within the Medicaid managed population.
A targeted quality improvement campaign by University of Cincinnati emergency medicine physicians safely reduced unnecessary head and cervical spine CT scans in low-risk trauma patients, saving patients $6.2 million in healthcare costs and avoiding significant radiation exposure. The campaign, which included continuing education sessio...
The new guidelines, developed by leading experts, focus on improving sepsis care by strengthening systems for diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and quality improvement. Emerging technologies, such as next-generation diagnostics and artificial intelligence, are also being explored to enhance sepsis care.
A new study found that emergency room visits for gambling disorders increased by 154% among males aged 10-29 and 116% among males aged 30-44 after the expansion of online gambling in Ontario. The study suggests that the concentration of this increase among younger males is particularly concerning.
A nationwide study found that lower temperatures are a significant risk factor for cardiac arrests, with a daily temperature drop of over 5°C serving as a warning signal. The study developed a predictive model using meteorological data to estimate expected daily numbers of cardiac arrests up to 3 days in advance.
A 5-year study in BC found that decriminalization reduced police encounters for drug possession by 39% without changes in overdose deaths or hospitalizations. The partial recriminalization period also saw declines in drug-related hospitalizations and overdose deaths, but similar trends were seen in other parts of Canada.
The Pediatric Prevention Network, led by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, aims to improve pediatric emergency preparedness and resilience nationwide. The network will develop evidence-based solutions to strengthen preparedness and improve outcomes for children, building on the expertise and experience of UH Rainbow Babies...
Emergency visits by children with suicide-related crises increased by 74% in hospitals with lower pediatric volume, often lacking specialized resources. These EDs often struggle to provide timely, effective, and equitable care to children in mental health crises.
A new study found that US children's emergency visits for mental health crises increased by 74% between 2016 and 2022. Half of these visits occurred in hospitals with low pediatric volume, highlighting the need for specialized resources and training.
Researchers analyzed 8.1 million emergency department visits to identify the most at-risk patients during heat waves, offering a near-real-time opportunity to implement protective measures. The study suggests that delays in identifying those most at-risk are no longer necessary, and timely evidence is increasingly essential for effecti...
A Northwestern University study identified 33 diagnoses associated with extreme heat exposure, including skin conditions, multiple sclerosis, and traffic accidents. The findings could help emergency departments and health care systems better prepare for heat waves, which are becoming more prevalent with climate change.
A large population-based study found that emergency diagnoses are common across multiple conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and coronary heart disease, and are consistently associated with worse outcomes. The study suggests that emergency diagnosis is a common phenomenon across diverse diseases and is linked to higher mortality ...
PCORI awards funding for new patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research, addressing key healthcare questions and generating evidence for better-informed decisions. The projects will focus on emergency, hospital, and surgical care, as well as mental and behavioral health, to improve health outcomes.
Physician David Wenzel's ethnographic fieldwork in acute hospital settings reveals how his clinical identity shapes interactions with staff. He found that introducing himself as a PhD student led to more open discussions about emotions and relational work, while wearing a student lanyard made him less visible to medical staff.
Mount Sinai will deliver healthcare services to elite tennis players, focusing on promoting health and wellness, preventing injuries, and meeting community needs. The partnership highlights the importance of access to specialized medical services for athletes competing at the highest level.
A new study published in JAMA found that there is significant variation in the time it takes to initiate inpatient management for patients admitted to general medical services. This delays their access to care and potentially affects patient outcomes.
A new study found that 23% of emergency department boarding patients wait at least 4 hours before receiving inpatient-quality care, with some patients waiting 12 or 24 hours. The study highlights the importance of efficient handoffs from emergency to inpatient care, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The inclusion of benzodiazepines in airline emergency medical kits is crucial for treating seizures that may occur during flights. Benzodiazepines can effectively manage seizure symptoms and prevent complications.
A clinical trial found that refrigerated platelets stored for up to 21 days are just as effective as room-temperature platelets in treating bleeding patients. This discovery could extend the lifespan of platelets by nearly 4-fold, reducing waste and improving access to lifesaving therapy.
Studies in Pakistan's trauma registry found that traumatic brain injuries are associated with high death and disability rates long after the initial injury, even in moderate cases. Patients remain vulnerable during hospital discharge transition.
A CU Anschutz-led clinical trial found an automated oxygen delivery system helped hospitalized patients spend significantly more time in their target oxygen range compared to standard care. The system reduced exposure to both low and high oxygen levels, with no increase in serious adverse events.
This study analyzed 9845 Ukrainian refugee children aged 5 and under in Southern Poland, identifying 5 distinct health care utilization profiles. The findings suggest that refugee-hosting countries must prioritize emergency and inpatient care following a crisis to rapidly adapt health care resources.
A new study of an Israeli hospital's response to the October 7 attacks reveals critical gaps in communication, staffing, logistics, and casualty distribution. The findings offer practical lessons that could help hospitals worldwide prepare for prolonged armed conflicts and other large-scale emergencies.
A new study reveals that burnout is pushing emergency physicians to leave the specialty or reduce clinical hours, exacerbating a crisis in Canadian healthcare. The study found that 10% of emergency medicine physicians had left the specialty, and women and younger physicians reported higher rates of burnout.
A retrospective study found patients registered for longer periods had 9-21% lower odds of urgent hospital admission and 17-28% lower costs. Consistently seeing the same general practitioner was associated with 6-7% lower hospital costs but not fewer urgent admissions.
A study of 997,701 ED visits in Alberta and Ontario found a significant association between wildfire-sourced PM2.5 and a 6% increase in ED visits for migraine and primary headache syndromes. Associations were attenuated in less deprived areas, suggesting that wildfire-sourced PM2.5 may trigger severe headache episodes requiring ED care.
The American College of Cardiology introduces a new cardiogenic shock designation to address deadly gaps in heart attack care. The new designation aims to standardize protocols and improve outcomes for patients with life-threatening complications of a heart attack, particularly in underserved areas.
The Pulmonary Embolism Reporting and Data Systems (PE-RADS) framework provides a simple, 0-4 grading scale for classifying acute pulmonary embolism using CT and MR angiography. The system aims to improve communication and patient care with standardized terminology and risk stratification.
Global road injury rates declined by 38.3% for new cases and 32.3% for deaths between 1990 and 2023, but progress was uneven across income groups. Low- and middle-income countries bear the greatest burden, with nearly six times higher mortality rates than high-income countries.
A new UCLA Health study found that female ER physicians request more imaging and laboratory tests and admit more patients to the hospital than their male counterparts. However, the additional testing was just as likely to uncover important findings, suggesting clinically appropriate care.