Research on urgent and emergency care. Covers youth psychiatric emergencies, heat-wave response, and heat-related diagnoses.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 ...
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Texas A&M University designed a fictional hospital to demonstrate the business case for investing in better design. The model shows that by incorporating evidence-based design strategies, hospitals can recover their additional construction costs within two years and achieve over $100 million in net financial gains over t...
A new study found that simple weekly electronic symptom check-ins with care teams significantly improves the quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment for advanced cancer. The benefits were notable among patient groups that historically faced barriers to care, including Black patients and those with less formal education.
A UMass Amherst-led study finds physicians with irritable patients experience increased anger, anxiety, and fatigue, leading to decreased engagement and quality of care. Patients' frustration affects doctors' emotional state and clinical assessments, ultimately resulting in poorer patient outcomes.
According to a new study published in PLOS One, people with a history of criminal legal involvement have higher odds of visiting an emergency department, particularly for substance use and mental health reasons. The authors conclude that CLI history should be recognized as a social determinant of health shaping patterns of ED use.
A survey of Illinois emergency departments found that many hospitals lack pediatric mental health specialists and struggle with timely access to evaluation by a mental health professional. The study proposes practical solutions, such as investing in mental health staffing, therapeutic activities, and real-time bed tracking to improve c...
Rates of diagnosis after emergency admission are even higher among women who are young, old, frail, or live in areas of deprivation, findings indicate. Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common female cancer worldwide, taking over 200,000 lives every year.
The study found that primary care clinicians can make a significant impact on diabetes management by initiating continuous glucose monitoring, leading to improved glycemic control and reduced acute care utilization. This scalable strategy has the potential to improve diabetes outcomes in underserved populations.
A new study found that hypoxic liver injury is a common complication affecting over one in five patients with severe ARDS, strongly associated with increased mortality. The study suggests that HLI may serve as a valuable prognostic marker and reflection of systemic disease severity in critically ill patients.
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme has supported the creation of 691 businesses, generating 5,184 jobs and raising over £1.27 billion in investment. The programme continues to play a critical role in retaining talent within the NHS by enabling clinicians to develop their ventures alongside their clinical careers.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that older adults discharged from hospital with a new prescription for sedatives are at increased risk of falls, further need for acute hospital care, and death within 30 days. The study looked at over 1.86 million adults aged 66 years and older and found a 20% hig...
The study's findings suggest that adults can reduce their likelihood of severe COVID-19-associated outcomes by obtaining a 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccination. Receipt of the vaccine was associated with additional protection against medically attended COVID-19, including emergency department/urgent care encounters and hospitalizations.
The American Heart Association and International Federation for Emergency Medicine collaborate to strengthen training, research, and systems of care for emergency cardiovascular and resuscitative care. The three-year agreement aims to improve access to training, education, and emergency care resources in low- and middle-income countries.
A new study reveals that improving one element of a healthcare system can lead to worse patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries due to systemic interconnectedness. Enhancing trust in the healthcare system had the greatest impact on clinical outcomes, but increased demand from more patients can quickly overwhelm services.
A study of over 3,200 emergency department patients across the US found that nearly all participants were aware of influenza vaccination, but 58.4% had not received a flu vaccine within the past year. Among those who declined vaccination, fear of side effects and lack of information were common concerns.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that a single TV episode sparked a surge in awareness and conversations about the historic ambulance service. Online search trends and social media conversations revealed how entertainment media can spark curiosity and learning about forgotten topics.
Semmelweis University's new Anatomy & Innovation Center for Education and Research has hosted two NATO battlefield surgery courses, providing realistic environments for learning and practicing new procedures. The center aims to improve patient safety and quality of care through advanced technologies and hands-on training.
Researchers found that patients with Medicare Advantage insurance were more likely to receive certain types of stroke-preventing care and recover faster from strokes. In contrast, patients on traditional Medicare received more intensive post-stroke care and rehabilitation.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that female patients with traumatic brain injuries are 26% less likely to be admitted to specialized trauma centers than males. This disparity persisted even after adjusting for factors like age, severity of injury, and other health conditions.