Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
Research examines the role of transforming cardiovascular care in rural clinics, optimizing emergency room use, and successful adoption of virtual care. Studies show that hybrid models can provide more than 30% virtual care after COVID-19 restrictions lift, while also reducing unnecessary ER visits by 55.7%.
Researchers discovered racial and ethnic differences in diagnostic imaging for children at pediatric emergency departments in the United States. The study found that these disparities are not solely due to patient factors, but also reflect biases in healthcare providers' decision-making.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that advanced practice providers (APPs) and emergency physicians deliver similar care to ED patients presenting with chest and abdominal pain. The authors recommend further research on the optimal use of APPs in the emergency department.
A survey found nearly 1 in 4 families reluctant to bring their child to the Emergency Department for non-COVID emergencies, exacerbating health inequities. Greater hesitancy was observed in under-resourced communities, families of color, and those relying on public insurance.
Children under 3 years old presenting with rib fractures are 77% likely to be abused; those under 18 months with humeral fractures show similar results. Diagnostic evaluation for abuse is recommended in these cases to minimize morbidity and mortality.
Over a 15-year period, the total number of unique patients seeing PCPs decreased by 2.5%, while frequency of contact dropped from 4.3 to 3.7 visits per patient, contributing to the primary care decline.
A study aims to reduce return visits to ED by low-risk patients with anxiety-caused chest pain. Researchers will explore online and telehealth care delivery options for anxious patients.
A significant number of patients with sudden loss of consciousness require pre-hospital critical care, according to a recent study. The research found that air ambulance dispatch teams can select patients needing HEMS-specific interventions and identify opportunities to improve triage.
A standardized tool for assessing chest pain risk was associated with comparable care for high-risk women, while low- and intermediate-risk women received consistent care with guidelines. Despite less care, women had fewer reports of heart attacks or death within 30 days compared to men.
Researchers analyzed Medicaid databases to identify predictors of timely enrollment in treatment for opioid use disorder among Medicaid recipients. Prior overdose, alcohol use disorder, and back problems were associated with non-enrollment, while frequent emergency room visits or primary care provider visits were linked to timely enrol...
The LOOP technique has been found to be a safe and effective alternative to traditional incision and drainage (I&D) with packing for treating subcutaneous abscesses in adults. In children, the technique resulted in significantly fewer failures compared to standard I&D techniques.
A national poll of people aged 50 to 80 found that nearly one in four have visited an emergency department in the last two years due to cost, COVID-19 risk, or delays. Health providers can improve acute care by better supporting older adults during and after medical emergencies.
A study published in Circulation found that women are significantly less likely to survive out-of-hospital cardiac arrest compared to men. Women received therapeutic hypothermia and coronary angiography at lower rates, leading to a 22.5% survival rate compared to 36.3% for men.
Only 1.8% of US obstetrician-gynecologists have an X-waiver, allowing them to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid addiction. Rural areas and cities with high neonatal abstinence syndrome rates have higher X-waiver rates among OB-GYNs.
Researchers at UTHealth analyzed data from over 18,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests to identify disparities in automated external defibrillator use. Hispanic/Latino and black neighborhoods showed significantly lower rates of AED use compared to non-Hispanic/Latino white communities.
A study of 21,231 UK urgent care register records found that advance care planning significantly influenced the place of death, with patients who had recorded preferences dying at home or in their chosen setting. Patients without a recorded preference were more likely to die in hospital.
A new study reveals an average of 120,232 firearm injuries per year in the US, with nonfatal cases being twice as prevalent as deaths. The research highlights the need for effective prevention strategies beyond just addressing fatal injuries.
Advanced practice providers (APPs) have lower productivity compared to emergency department physicians, but no apparent impact on patient satisfaction and safety metrics. The study suggests that APPs can be effectively integrated into EDs with staffing models accounting for their lower productivity.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that California's Black and Hispanic communities received less benefit from regionalized heart attack care protocols. Despite improved access to PCI-capable hospitals, survival rates remained unchanged for minority groups, whereas whites in non-minority communities showed better outcomes.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine is developing a lung ultrasound education program for rural emergency medicine providers to better diagnose COVID-19. Lung ultrasound can be particularly useful in rural EDs due to limited access to COVID-19 testing and the disparate impact of COVID-19 on rural populations.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that expanded access to health insurance significantly reduced ambulance dispatches for asthma emergencies in New York City. Improved access to outpatient management of the chronic condition is believed to be the likely reason for this decline.
Research finds that buprenorphine therapy in primary care can be financially sustainable, with rural practices and physician-led treatment generating the most revenue. Effective hearing loss screening also shows promise, with increased referral rates to audiology specialists leading to improved health outcomes.
Patient clinical data leverages reduce healthcare spending and utilization by reminding patients for preventive services, setting health goals, and improving quality improvement. Practices with targeted outreach and population health monitoring also see lower Medicare spending and utilization
A recent study by Washington State University's Bidisha Mandal found that the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion program has reduced the number of uninsured low-income residents, particularly in rural areas. However, the likelihood of repeated emergency room visits for non-urgent reasons has not decreased.
The American College of Physicians publishes COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine. Experts from the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Grossman School of Medicine discuss the legal, ethical, and clinical ramifications of restricting patient access to EUA-approved COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that Black patients are more likely to experience restraint use in emergency settings compared to white patients. The study also identified higher rates of restraint among homeless patients and those with public insurance or no insurance.
A survey of over 4,000 UK emergency care doctors found their median average 'need for recovery' score was 70, higher than previous studies. Factors like reducing antisocial shift patterns and improving access to leave could help alleviate wellbeing issues.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that mobile smartphone technology can improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival. The 'Staying Alive' app, which alerts trained responders to nearby cardiac arrest victims, was found to reduce response times and potentially improve outcomes.
A Phase II clinical trial found that LY-CoV555, a monoclonal antibody, lowered viral load and reduced hospitalization rates in outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19. The treatment was effective across all demographic groups, including high-risk patients.
Dr. Thea James has been recognized with the inaugural Dr. Thea James Social Emergency Medicine Lifetime Achievement Award, created in her honor. The award recognizes her outstanding contribution to advancing social emergency medicine and improving health equity through her work.
A study by George Washington University researchers analyzed Google Trends data to assess public perception of COVID-19 exposure and disease prevalence. The team found that specific queries related to testing and diagnosis were associated with higher SVI values in states with the highest COVID-19 cases.
A new AI-based tool, CoVA, has been developed to predict the prognosis of patients with COVID-19, identifying those at highest risk for complications. The tool was tested on over 9,381 adult outpatients and demonstrated excellent performance in predicting hospitalization, critical illness, or death within seven days.
A new study published in Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open confirms that most patients with COVID-19 symptoms can recover safely at home. The study found that none of the patients died and fewer than 1% required intensive care.
West Virginia University has received a $1.2 million grant to establish telehealth connections between rural emergency departments and medical specialists. The program aims to provide acute, emergent subspecialty care in rural areas, reducing the need for hospital transfers and readmissions.
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial found antacid monotherapy to be the most palatable solution and had fewer side effects compared to antacid/lidocaine combinations. Antacid monotherapy was also found to be equally efficacious in relieving epigastric pain as lidocaine/antacid combination therapy.
A study published in the Western Journal of Emergency Medicine found that 85% of medical waste does not meet regulated standards for disposal. By implementing changes such as reusable devices, better sorting of infectious waste, and effective recycling, hospitals can reduce waste while saving costs. The study suggests that hospitals co...
A digital alarm clock streamlined time-sensitive acute stroke care, reducing neurological examination completion times to 7.28 minutes compared to 10 minutes without the clock. However, its impact on long-term outcomes remains uncertain, with further research needed to determine its effectiveness.
A semi-automatic phone triage system designed to help people with chest discomfort during out-of-hours periods has been found to be unsafe and unreliable. The system underestimated the severity of more than a quarter of patients with serious heart conditions, highlighting the need for input from nurses to ensure accurate assessment.
Researchers found that factors like low pulse oximetry levels and fever were key indicators for hospital readmission. The study also showed that older patients and those with certain symptoms were more likely to require hospitalization.
Patients who receive in-home nursing care have lower emergency room utilization if they have access to after-hours primary care. Access to after-hours primary care can prevent some less-urgent ER visits by addressing health issues identified during home nursing visits.
The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) rapidly adapted telehealth technologies to meet patients' needs during the pandemic. The hospital's four-pronged response ensured continuity of care for COVID-19 patients and continued outpatient care.
Patients with comorbidities and from deprived areas have poorer hospital outcomes, including higher death rates and longer stays. Severe comorbidity is associated with a 13-fold increased risk of in-hospital death.
A University of Gothenburg study shows that units outside emergency healthcare are willing to assist in a crisis, including hotels, schools, and veterinary clinics. The 'flexible surge capacity' (FSC) system aims to scale up emergency care during surges in patient numbers.
A Rutgers study found that young gay men who experience healthcare discrimination or have providers lacking in knowledge about gay men's health issues are more likely to miss out on screenings and care. Creating safe spaces for disclosure can build trust and improve access to relevant services.
A new study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that smartphones can detect changes in gait patterns associated with alcohol intoxication. The research suggests that real-time information about alcohol consumption could be used to reduce harm, prevent drinking and driving, or alert a sponsor for someone in tr...
A new analysis reveals that rural America is experiencing a worsening shortage of emergency physicians, with 92% practicing in urban areas. The rural workforce is also aging, with nearly all recent graduates opting for urban practices, leaving many rural communities without adequate emergency care.
A new study shows that men treated for testicular cancer at public safety net hospital and academic tertiary care center have the same outcomes, despite differences in demographics. The study eliminated sociodemographic disparities in survival and cancer recurrence rates.
Emergency department visits plummeted by 41.5% in Colorado and 63.5% in New York as the public responded to social distancing messages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite hospital admissions increasing, serious injuries and illnesses suffered undiagnosed or untreated
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that emergency department visits declined by 42-64% during the four-month period, with largest declines seen in areas with high COVID-19 cases. Hospital admissions remained relatively stable until local increases in COVID-19 cases led to dramatic upticks.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine explores injury patterns to identify key differences between elder abuse and unintentional injuries. The study reveals distinct injury patterns, such as head or neck injuries without visible harm, facial injuries on the left cheek, and neck injuries, which can help healthcare profes...
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that only a few key signs and symptoms significantly change the likelihood of community-acquired pneumonia. The study suggests prioritizing high-value elements of the physical examination to improve diagnostic accuracy and antibiotic use.
A machine learning algorithm accurately identifies medical specialties and primary care physicians with 95% accuracy, providing real-time data on the US healthcare workforce. The model correctly predicted 70% of physician practice types within five percentage points, including specialties such as emergency medicine and cardiology.
Research found patients significantly overestimating CPR success and understating its negative impact. Clinicians should discuss CPR with patients to clarify success rates and risks before consent is given. The study highlighted the importance of informed decision-making in end-of-life care.
A new study by University of South Australia medical imaging student Elio Arruzza found that whole-body CT (WBCT) scans can diagnose traumatic injuries faster and more accurately than conventional radiology procedures. WBCT also reduces the time spent in emergency departments, which could help alleviate overcrowding.
A new study found that Michigan's Medicaid expansion program significantly improved health outcomes for the most vulnerable residents, including those with extremely low incomes and chronic health conditions. The program also saw improvements in health among participants of all ages, backgrounds, and geographic regions.
A study by Vanderbilt University Medical Center found that among healthcare workers with COVID-19 antibodies, 42% reported no symptoms, suggesting a higher risk of transmission. The study also showed that patients with COVID-19 tend to remain ill longer than with other respiratory infections.
Lactating emergency physicians face challenges in emergency departments due to lack of support and policies. Implementing strategies like time management, flexible scheduling and adequate lactation spaces can improve their ability to meet lactation goals.
A new study will test a training model for primary care nurses to improve the lives of dementia patients by enhancing assessment, management, and coordination of care. The researchers aim to reduce emergency room visits, health care costs, and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers.
The Federal Communications Commission awarded UVA Health a $767,139 grant to expand its use of telehealth for patient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will support remote patient monitoring, virtual urgent care, and videoconferencing to reduce exposure for patients and care providers.
The study found a significant drop in EMS calls, but a corresponding doubling in EMS-attended deaths, highlighting the severity of non-COVID-19 emergencies during the pandemic. The trend persists despite easing pandemic restrictions, indicating ongoing concerns about accessing healthcare.