Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
A recent study has found that pregnancies complicated by sepsis are associated with a higher risk of cesarean delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, and preterm delivery. Researchers recommend increased prenatal surveillance for patients with sepsis and other serious infections to mitigate these risks.
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.
A study of over 1,000 patients in Philadelphia's emergency departments found that vaccine hesitancy is common among this population, driven by concerns about safety and research. The authors suggest that EDs can play a valuable role in addressing vaccine hesitancy through targeted education and outreach efforts.
A telephone-delivered nursing care strategy combining heart failure care management with depression treatment improved patients' clinical outcomes. Patients receiving 'blended' collaborative care showed better mental health-related quality of life, including improved mood and reduced limitations in social activities.
A Swedish study found that 43% of children with new-onset type 1 diabetes did not receive hospital treatment on the same day as primary care contact. Delayed care can lead to life-threatening conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis. Improved awareness and rapid treatment are crucial for preventing complications.
A recent study at a large Australian hospital found nearly 4 out of 10 patient transports to be marred by incidents, including limb entrapment, collisions, and issues with infusion pumps. Patient agitation was also a common factor in these mishaps, highlighting the need for improved transport training and preparation.
A survey study found that emergency medicine residents experience high rates of workplace mistreatment, including suicidal thoughts, and identify common sources of mistreatment as supervisors, colleagues, and patients. The study highlights the need for improved workplace culture and support systems to address these issues.
A NIH study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that administering convalescent plasma to outpatients with early symptoms of COVID-19 did not prevent disease progression. The trial, which enrolled over 500 participants, showed a significant reduction of less than 2% in disease progression.
Patients from minority ethnic groups have a disproportionately higher rate of emergency hospital admissions due to comorbidity profiles and earlier onset burdens of diseases. The study found that these disparities are not reflected in commonly used measures like survival rates.
A new regional policy in Chicago has led to an increase in patients receiving endovascular therapy, a critical treatment for large vessel occlusions. The study suggests that this policy change can improve stroke outcomes and has the potential to have a major public health impact.
A research team from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that delivering acute care at home for non-COVID patients freed up substantial inpatient capacity during the COVID-19 surge. The Home Hospital program provided care for 65 acutely ill patients, amounting to 419 bed-days, over a 3-month period.
A study of 7,400 emergency department physicians found that those who recently saw patients with a pulmonary embolism were 15% more likely to test subsequent patients for the condition. The 'availability heuristic' may influence physicians' care decisions.
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.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has awarded $254 million to fund 28 new research studies aimed at reducing health disparities in maternal morbidity, preventing youth suicide, and improving behavioral health outcomes. Four studies will assess interventions to improve prenatal care for Black women and their child...
According to Nemours Children's Health, over 21.5% of teen ER patients screened showed symptoms of severe depression, while 7.8% reported suicidal thoughts during the pandemic. This finding underscores the need for increased vigilance and support for adolescent mental health.
A study found that high-dose buprenorphine administered in emergency departments is safe and tolerable, providing extended withdrawal relief and helping patients navigate barriers to follow-up care. The therapy may enhance opioid use disorder treatment outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A recent study from the University of Minnesota and Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute reveals racial and ethnic inequities in COVID-19 testing access. The study found that patients from different socio-demographic groups were more likely to seek care through outpatient or emergency department services, highlighting structural barr...
A USC analysis found that ICE violated its own medical care standards in 78% of cases, often ignoring warning signs of critical illness. Many deaths were preceded by delayed or inappropriate care, and researchers recommend improved reporting, independent reviews, and rehabilitation for facilities with recurrent violations.
A new study from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Regenstrief Institute, IUPUI, and Mount Sinai researchers reports that primary care physicians recognize the need for improved care coordination. They welcome electronic health information exchange (HIE) event notifications as a means to enhance patient care.
The SAEM GRACE team developed recommendations for testing, treatment, hospital admission, and screening tools for recurrent, low-risk chest pain. Guidelines prioritize patient-important outcomes and consideration of patients' values and preferences.
A new analysis found that 78% of healthcare workers experienced violent assault in the past year, with emergency physician residents facing a higher risk. The study highlights the need for improved workplace violence protocols and increased reporting to protect healthcare workers' mental health and safety.
Researchers found that COVID-positive trauma patients have a six times higher risk of death and double the likelihood of complications compared to those without COVID. The risks were even greater in patients over age 65.
Researchers found a 4.3% decrease in ED visits and an 11.3% decrease in hospitalizations for chest pain under high-deductible health plans. Low-income patients with HDHPs were more likely to be hospitalized with serious heart conditions, highlighting the need for clinicians to account for potential delays in care.
A new study by Regenstrief Institute researchers found that electronic health records (EHRs) are not designed to meet the specific needs of primary care physicians. The study recommends implementing a human factor approach for EHR user interface design to improve patient care and reduce information overload.
University of Leicester academics developed a pioneering device to help doctors and nurses communicate clearly whilst wearing PPE. The MedicCom uses a throat microphone to amplify sound, enabling patients to better hear medical staff caring for them.
Stroke patients from rural areas and American Indian communities face significant challenges in accessing certified stroke centers due to longer distances. Demographic factors such as age, income, and insurance status also impact the distance to stroke care, with rural areas showing a reversal of expected relationships.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that hospitalization rates for heart attacks remained stable during subsequent COVID-19 surges, contrary to initial declines during the pandemic's onset. The research suggests effective public health campaigns encouraged people to seek care, resulting in a rebound of hospitalizations.
A recent study found that tens of thousands of women visited the emergency room for fibroid symptoms, with only 1 in 10 leading to hospital admission. The study suggests that many cases could have been managed in an alternative non-urgent health setting.
Emergency department visits for common conditions like appendicitis and miscarriage dropped significantly during the first wave of COVID-19, but there was no increase in adverse patient outcomes. Researchers found that management strategies remained unchanged, suggesting that patients who required emergency care continued to seek help ...
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that prescribed light exercise had no effect on recovery or healthcare utilization outcomes for patients with acute mild traumatic brain injury. Standard care without early exercise may be a viable option.
The Canadian Syncope Risk Score is an accurate validated prediction score for emergency department patients with unexplained syncope. The study highlights the weaknesses of several risk tools previously published, and its impact on clinical decision making is not known.
A new benefit has been implemented, allowing eligible Veterans to receive urgent care from community providers. The study found that most Veterans who used the service lived within 30 minutes of a VA primary care site and had no copays for urgent care visits.
The Association of Anaesthetists and the Intensive Care Society publish new guidelines addressing fire safety and emergency evacuations in ICUs and operating theatres. Key findings include training for staff, design features for fire safety, and ventilation requirements to prevent oxygen enrichment.
A new study found that many lupus patients with Medicaid were unvaccinated and required more acute care for vaccine-preventable illnesses. Black patients had a higher risk of needing such care compared to white patients.
The program, called Practical Alternative to Hospitalization (PATH), uses advanced practice providers and personalized plans to support patients after visiting the emergency department. Nearly 9 out of 10 patients enrolled in PATH did not need to return to the hospital for care within a month.
A new case report details the treatment of a patient with VITT (vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia) using bivalirudin, an alternative to heparin. Early outcomes suggest that this approach may be safe and effective in treating these rare but serious clot reactions.
A new study found that unconscious biases in emergency triage protocols led to prioritization of able-bodied patients over those with intellectual disabilities. Social workers can act as advocates for these individuals, while educational changes are needed to address structural inequalities and biases.
During the pandemic, a 70% decrease was observed in heart attack patients seeking care, with those receiving treatment experiencing more severe symptoms due to delays. The study underscores the importance of early treatment and public education on cardiac care.
A randomized trial found that droperidol was more effective than lorazepam or ziprasidone for sedation in patients with acute undifferentiated agitation. Additionally, it was associated with lower rates of respiratory depression compared to the other medications. The study suggests that larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The HINTS exam, a bedside ocular motor test, is not accurate for central cause identification. The test is frequently misused in patients without nystagmus or intermittent symptoms.
A surveillance project found high COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among physicians and advance practice providers, but lower rates among nurses and nonclinical healthcare workers. The authors suggest educating these groups about the vaccine's safety profile to enhance vaccination rates.
A new study finds that people with HIV who experienced intimate partner violence are more likely to engage in riskier behaviors and have poor adherence to HIV treatment. IPV is associated with increased depression, anxiety, and poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the need for screening and supportive services.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that patients who had virtual 'urgent care' visits for upper respiratory infections were more likely to receive additional follow-up care compared to those with in-person visits. This contradicts the expectation that virtual care would reduce downstream visits and emergency department use.
A recent study published in Health Affairs found that urgent care centers are associated with increased spending for lower-acuity visits across both emergency departments and urgent care centers. For every 37 urgent care visits, one fewer lower acuity ED visit occurs, but total costs increase rather than decrease.
A study is evaluating Recovery Works, a Indiana program focusing on pre-incarceration diversion and post-incarceration re-entry services to reduce recidivism by 20%. The research aims to assess the impact of services on health-related outcomes and recidivism rates among low-level offenders.
A new study found that 46.3% of US poison control center calls involving supersized alcopops were made by underage drinkers, posing a distinct threat to youth. The study highlights the need for better regulation and policies to limit the availability of these products.
A study of over 61,000 patients with acute pulmonary embolism found that disposition practices vary significantly between hospitals, resulting in high emergency department revisit rates. Most return visits did not lead to hospitalization, highlighting the need for standardized care and improved outpatient management protocols.
A study found no racial disparities in simulated patient prioritization for resource allocation using crisis standards of care guidelines at two Miami hospitals. However, experts warn that further research is needed to ensure these guidelines do not disproportionately harm marginalized communities during public health crises.
A new study finds that mobile stroke units (MSUs) improve patient outcomes and lessen the chance for disability by delivering care faster than standard stroke care. MSU patients received tPA treatment within 60 minutes, resulting in better outcomes and less disability.
Researchers found that low-dose aspirin reduced the need for mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and in-hospital mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Aspirin use was associated with a decreased risk of these severe outcomes, including a 44% reduction in mechanical ventilation.
A recent Loyola Medicine study found that reducing the standard dose of IV-administered ketamine in half is as effective as the larger dose in reducing pain in adults. The study involved 98 patients and showed similar results at 30 minutes, with lower adverse event rates in the low-dose group.
A hospital-based violence intervention program effectively engages vulnerable populations by addressing specific client needs. The study highlights the complexities of program attrition and altering life courses for victims of violence, emphasizing the need for targeted strategies to address upstream factors of community violence.
A study found that alcohol withdrawal rates among hospitalized patients rose 34% during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, conducted at ChristianaCare, suggests that hospital systems need to screen for and treat alcohol use withdrawal and refer patients for ongoing treatment.
Researchers found that financial incentives encouraged hospitals to enact rapid system and practice changes to support treatment for opioid use disorder. However, smaller or independent hospitals struggled to invest in resources due to internal barriers.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that methoxyflurane administration resulted in lower pain scores compared to standard care. However, it did not achieve the desired substantial reduction in pain as prescribed.
Specialized geriatric emergency care reduces hospitalizations and costs for Medicare beneficiaries, with savings ranging up to $2,905 after 30 days. The study found a significant reduction in total costs of care when patients were seen by transitional care nurses or social workers trained in geriatric emergency care.
Researchers found paracetamol alone is superior to high-dose NSAID alone for posttraumatic extremity pain. A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine shows taking paracetamol as a first-line therapy can effectively manage mild to moderate post-traumatic extremity pain after discharge from the emergency department.
The Arizona Rural EMS Advanced Telemedicine Demonstration Initiative (AzREADI) provides rural EMS responders with real-time consultations with board-certified EMS physicians. This improves the time from symptom onset to treatment, especially for stroke or traumatic brain injury cases.
A new Canadian TIA Score tool helps emergency physicians predict patients at greatest risk of having a major stroke within the week. The study showed the Canadian TIA Score accurately categorized patients into three risk groups, outperforming existing ABCD2 score.