Research on urgent and emergency care. Covers youth psychiatric emergencies, heat-wave response, and heat-related diagnoses.
More than half of all reported poisonings affect children ages 5 and younger, with opioids responsible for over half of fatal poisonings. Opioids have contributed to a significant increase in child poisoning deaths despite regulation measures.
A West Virginia University study found that patients treated for motor vehicle collision injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic used more drugs, including cannabinoids, opioids, and stimulants. The study suggests public health interventions may be needed to curb this behavior in rural areas.
Leading medical organizations have formed a coalition to combat the growing problem of firearm violence in the US. The Healthcare Coalition for Firearm Injury Prevention aims to promote education, advocacy, and community-centered approaches to reduce firearm-related injuries.
The March issues of The American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services focus on major depression treatment advances and suicide risk screening for Indigenous populations. Journalists can access the publications by emailing press@psych.org.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that combining cocaine with ethanol increases the risk of cardiac arrest, higher lactate concentrations, and lower occurrence of myocardial injury. The study suggests that cocaethylene, a metabolite of cocaine and ethanol, is more toxic than either substance alone.
A study of US adults found that Black men have a 50% higher death rate within 30 days of elective surgery compared to White men and women. The researchers highlight the need for better understanding of challenges facing Black men requiring surgery in the US.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that ECMO significantly improves survival rates among patients with severe hypothermia, compared to conventional rewarming methods. The treatment was also associated with faster rewarming times.
Research found significant room for improvement in accuracy of California's provider directories and timely access to mental health care. Despite stringent regulations, inaccurate directories and inadequate networks hindered access to essential services.
A study found an increase in unstable living situations and intimate partner violence between January 2019 and December 2020, with a temporary spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest the need for prenatal screening and support services to address these issues.
Recreational nitrous oxide use can lead to subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, causing serious disability in young people. The new guidelines provide practical solutions for early recognition and effective treatment to alleviate pressure on hospitals.
Pediatric patients with LEP face challenges in emergency rooms, but a CHOP study shows that implementing quality improvement measures can increase the use of medical interpreters and improve documentation of language needs. The research team introduced new processes to identify language needs and offer interpreters as needed, leading t...
A new algorithm uses patient-reported outcomes to identify patients with cancer who are at increased odds of having unplanned emergency department visits. The algorithm, which calculates a symptom complexity score, has shown that patients with high complexity scores are three times more likely to use the ED.
A new program, backed by a $1.5 million grant, provides education and training on stroke care for paramedics and healthcare providers in seven Central Virginia counties. The program aims to reduce disparities in stroke deaths among non-Hispanic Black individuals in these communities.
A new study by UC Davis Health confirms that pediatric critical care telemedicine consults result in significantly fewer interfacility transfers for critically ill children. The study found that 84% of patients assigned to telemedicine were transferred, compared to 90.6% for those with telephone consultations.
Researchers from the University of Colorado found that Paxlovid significantly reduced rates of hospitalization and death among non-hospitalized patients infected with recent Omicron subvariants. The study used real-world data from 28,000 patients and suggested a benefit for Paxlovid in preventing severe disease.
Research reveals that opioid tapering can lead to more hospitalizations and emergency department visits, while also reducing primary care visit rates. The study's findings suggest potential unintended consequences of opioid tapering for policymakers and clinicians.
The American Heart Association is recognizing 10 leading stroke scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of stroke research. Among them, Dr. Cheryl Bushnell will be honored with the Ralph L. Sacco Outstanding Stroke Research Mentor Award for her exceptional mentorship and research in women's issues related to str...
Researchers found that some states, such as Ohio and Nevada, have the highest per-capita visits to emergency departments for mental health conditions, while others, like Colorado and West Virginia, have the lowest. Heavy reliance on emergency departments is problematic due to a lack of suitable care in these areas.
The European Health Union aims to detect, prepare, and respond collectively to future health threats. The EU Health Security Framework has been reinforced to learn from lessons learned during the pandemic, with a focus on close collaboration among ECDC, EMA, and HERA.
A diabetes screening program in an urban emergency department found high rates of undiagnosed prediabetes and type 2 diabetes among racial and ethnic minority individuals and low-income patients. The study suggests that targeted outreach to those with higher hemoglobin A1c levels may be more cost-effective.
The pandemic exacerbated workforce shortages, low wages, and increased consumer responsibility in self-directed care. Policies like the Appendix K guidelines showed potential to alleviate unmet care needs, but further flexibility is needed to support consumers and workers.
Primary care physicians and patients expressed concerns about digital detection surveillance of infectious diseases, including ambiguity over consent and potential discrimination. High-quality primary care was associated with reduced hospitalizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers modified an algorithm to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) in primary care settings, removing microscopy features that weren't available. The new algorithm performed well and suggests withholding antibiotics from low-risk patients to reduce antibiotic overuse.
Researchers analyzed data from Ontario, Canada and found no evidence that virtual care increased emergency department visits. The study controlled for various factors, including patient complexity and practitioner characteristics.
Research identifies significant barriers in ER care for patients with mental health and substance use disorders, including emotional, diagnostic, and logistical challenges. Broad changes are needed to improve emergency care for this patient population.
A new American Heart Association scientific statement emphasizes the importance of rapid evaluation for TIA, which can lead to full-blown stroke. The statement offers a standardized approach to evaluating people with suspected TIA, including guidance for hospitals in rural areas with limited resources.
A trapped mountaineer survived 16 frigid hours in a crevasse on Denali, highlighting the importance of expert rescue efforts and proper treatment. The case study emphasizes the need for responders to continue extrication and treatment efforts even when survival seems impossible.
A study found that hospitals with high levels of pediatric care readiness have significantly lower child mortality rates compared to those with low readiness. Adopting national pediatric care readiness standards as laid out by the National Pediatric Readiness Project may prevent over 1,400 child deaths.
Research on COVID-19 variants reveals that infants and toddlers with co-infections are significantly more likely to need oxygen therapy and ICU-level care. Co-infection rates were highest during the delta variant, followed by omicron and alpha.
A study by University of Missouri-Columbia researchers found a significant increase in pediatric firearm injuries during the pandemic, with Black and low-income children being most at risk. The monthly injury rate increased by 51.5% during the pandemic, leading to a 29% increase in pediatric firearm deaths.
A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found a sharp increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits among California adults ages 65 and older from 2005 to 2019. The rate increased by 1,808%, with more than 12,000 visits reported in 2019.
The American College of Physicians summarizes new guidelines for treating patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The 2022 update provides important clarifications to the 2020 guidelines, focusing on comprehensive care, glycemic monitoring, lifestyle interventions, antihyperglycemic therapies, and educational approaches.
Pediatric mental health emergency department visits are rising, driven by markers of disease severity and healthcare access issues. Targeted hospital and community interventions can help mitigate recurrent visits and improve mental health care delivery.
A recent study found that 1 in 5 children and teens who visit emergency departments due to mental health crises will still be there after 12 hours. Another 1 in 13 will remain after a full day, with over 60% being suicidal or having self-harmed.
A new study reveals that older adults are hesitant to seek emergency care due to financial worries. Among those who may need care, 22% skip the visit altogether. Those in their 50s and early 60s, women, uninsured individuals, low-income households, and those with poor mental health are disproportionately affected.
A new study found that people with alcohol use disorders who are injured severely enough to require hospital treatment have a fivefold increased risk of dying in the next year. This association was found in over 13,000 patients, with a total mortality rate nearly five times higher than the general California population.
Research reveals stark racial and ethnic differences in swimming skills, with Black and Latine parents less confident in their abilities and fewer children taking swim lessons. Culturally tailored water-safety programs are crucial to eliminating these disparities and reducing child drownings.
A case of a 14-year-old girl who had a cardiac arrest at an overnight camp emphasizes the need for preparation and training for rare but often fatal events. The survival of the patient is attributed to the quick response of emergency medical services and bystander CPR.
A new study reveals that children who survive firearm injuries are more likely to develop mental health diagnoses, particularly stress-related conditions and substance misuse issues. The research found that 35% of firearm-injured kids received a new mental health diagnosis in the year after the incident.
Research finds that individuals with dementia who receive care from an interprofessional team are more likely to visit the emergency department than those cared for by a physician-only practice. However, this team-based approach does not appear to reduce hospitalization rates.
Researchers developed and validated two risk measurement tools to estimate hospitalised COVID-19 patient mortality rates. The COVID-NoLab and COVID-SimpleLab models can predict mortality with reasonable accuracy, helping clinicians identify low-risk patients for outpatient management.
Researchers developed a new continuity of care measure to track clinician/patient relationship quality in family medicine. Higher CoC scores correlate with decreased emergency department visits, suggesting its potential to shape healthcare behaviors.
Researchers at USC's Keck School of Medicine are collaborating with Polaris Dawn to develop a novel method for collecting X-rays in outer space. They aim to harness ambient radiation to create images using analog X-ray film, which could improve medical care on long-duration spaceflights.
A novel public health intervention, virtual overdose monitoring services offer timely and anonymous access to emergency care and can develop personalized response plans for individuals using substances. High-quality research is needed to better understand the benefits and risks of these services.
Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.
A study found that CPR mannikins depicted in public social media accounts are predominantly white, lean men, lacking representation of diverse groups. The lack of diversity in these models may influence disparities in training and care for patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that nearly half of non-psychiatric ER patients have mental health and substance use problems. The study used a digital screening tool to identify these issues, which could help reduce future visits and improve patient care.
A telemedicine program for opioid use disorder patients showed that 55% of patients continued with their medication 30 days after being prescribed buprenorphine. The program received 371 calls and provided 249 buprenorphine prescriptions, filling a significant gap in treatment for this population.
A new study by CHOP researchers found that antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus enhances C. difficile virulence by modulating the gut environment, increasing toxin production and nutrient supply. This interaction supports increased colonization and persistence of C. difficile in the gut.
A study by CHOP researchers found that financial stress during the pandemic contributed to depressive symptoms in adolescents across all income groups. The effect was most pronounced in low-income adolescents, but also affected those with lower pre-pandemic household income.
The Vilcek-Gold Award honors immigrant healthcare professionals in the US who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to humanistic and community-centered care. The award includes a $10,000 cash prize, commemorative trophy, and presentation at the Association of American Medical Colleges' annual meeting.
A study found that ER visits for suicidal thoughts among youth aged 5-19 increased by 59% from 2016-2017 to 2019-2021, with hospitalizations rising by 57%. The research highlights the need for improved mental wellness support and training for healthcare providers.
A new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting found that most infants with anaphylaxis were treated appropriately with a single dose of epinephrine. The study reviewed charts for 169 patients under 2 years old who presented with anaphylaxis symptoms in various systems.
This cross-sectional study investigated emergency department clinicians' concerns about medical errors resulting in either patient harm or malpractice litigation. The findings highlight the emotional toll of these errors on clinicians, including feelings of guilt, anxiety, and burnout.
A 5-year follow-up study found patients who received a patient activation training had more primary care use and fewer substance-related emergency department visits. The intervention taught patients to connect with their primary care team, manage their health holistically, and overcome stigma associated with addiction treatment.
The study aims to assess the effectiveness of recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in decreasing bleeding in the brain of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). ICH is a deadly stroke type with no effective treatment, and this trial seeks to improve outcomes.
A new study from Penn State found that crowded emergency departments are associated with higher mortality rates throughout the hospital. On days when an emergency department is crowded, patients are 5.4% more likely to die of any cause, regardless of their admission status.
Researchers found that patients who received automated text messages from their primary care team after discharge had a significant decrease in hospital readmission (55%) and emergency care use (41%) compared to those who did not receive the texts. This study adds to evidence that connecting with patients through text messaging can hel...
The University of Tsukuba researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict undertriage in phone-based triage systems. The model identified risk factors such as age, sex, and comorbid conditions, which can be used to update protocols and improve patient outcomes.
Research highlights the significant role emergency departments play in end-of-life care, with nearly one-third of decedents visiting the ED just before death. The study's findings emphasize the need for emergency medicine practitioners to identify patients in need of end-of-life care and provide necessary resources.