Research on urgent and emergency care. Covers youth psychiatric emergencies, heat-wave response, and heat-related diagnoses.
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.
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.
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 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.
Children with diabetes, sepsis, and cancer were most commonly involved in 'delayed presentations' in emergency care during the pandemic lockdown. The survey found that nearly 60% of paediatricians reported seeing such cases, highlighting an urgent need for improved public health messaging.
A recent study analyzing nearly 38,000 test results revealed a positivity rate among Latinx populations approximately three times higher than other racial and ethnic groups. Researchers attribute the disparities to socially and economically marginalized factors such as crowded living conditions and essential worker status.
A University of Melbourne-led study developed a world-first framework that identifies health practitioners' readiness to address family violence. The CATCH model highlights five vital themes: Commitment, Advocacy, Trust, Collaboration, and Health system support.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine identified common barriers to using risk stratification tools for evaluating pulmonary embolism in emergency departments. The study found that provider-level factors such as risk avoidance and lack of knowledge of the tools dominated as barriers, while inner-setting factors were i...
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a dramatic drop in patients seeking care in emergency departments during March and April 2020. Social distancing measures and increased hand washing helped lower the transmission of viruses, while changes in epidemiology and healthcare policies also contributed to the decline.
A case series examines the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who received intervention by a COVID-19 palliative care response team. The study found that these interventions led to improved patient outcomes, including reduced mortality rates.
A study published in Critical Care Medicine reveals that the actual mortality rate of adults with critical illness from COVID-19 is lower than previously reported, at 35.7%, compared to earlier reports of a 50 percent mortality rate. About 60 percent of patients survived to hospital discharge.
Academic emergency departments have a legal, historical, and ethical obligation to provide safe evaluation and care to anyone in need. The Federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) prohibits EDs from turning away patients, ensuring access to medical screening and care for all 120 million ED visitors annually.
The new guidelines aim to improve stroke care by speeding up treatment and preventing the spread of COVID-19. The recommendations emphasize the use of telemedicine to connect patients with UVA stroke experts before arrival at the hospital.
A study found that only 16% of commercially insured patients received timely follow-up care after an opioid overdose, with black patients being half as likely to receive treatment. The lack of care is attributed to barriers beyond insurance status and highlights the need for increased adoption of pathways to initiate buprenorphine in EDs.
Researchers found that lifestyle is the strongest factor influencing specialty choice among osteopathic medical students, with women being more likely to pursue primary care. The study suggests that osteopathic medical schools investing in female candidates may lead to an increase in primary care physicians.
A simulated patient study in Northern California found that counties with limited new patient primary care appointments had higher rates of Medi-Cal patients' emergency room usage. Adequate access to primary care is crucial for improving health outcomes and controlling costs among Medicaid expansion beneficiaries.
A realist synthesis investigated how case management in primary care affects frequent users of healthcare services with chronic conditions. The study found that case management is an effective way to integrate all aspects of care, improving patient outcomes.
The article highlights Singapore's successful COVID-19 containment response in primary care, featuring triage, containment, and infection control measures. Additionally, it explores the benefits of routine lung cancer screenings and discusses the increasing use of artificial intelligence in primary care to improve diagnostic accuracy.
A study by Yale researchers found that only 21% of emergency department clinicians indicated readiness to offer buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder. Barriers included lack of formal training, time limitations, and perceptions that initiating therapy falls outside the scope of emergency medicine.
UVA Health's telehealth tools improved patient care and healthcare provider safety during the Ebola outbreak. The Isolation Communication Management System (iSOCOMS) allowed doctors to provide personal, high-quality care while conserving vital PPE.
Visits for mental health disorders rose 60%, while deliberate self-harm increased 329%. The rate of substance use disorders also saw a significant rise. To address this, researchers recommend improved preparedness and screening for suicidal ideation in emergency departments.
Researchers used a nontoxic fluorescent solution under ultraviolet light to demonstrate the importance of proper PPE use during COVID-19 patient care. The study found that health care staff who contaminated their face or forearms during PPE removal were more likely to be exposed to the contagion.
A study of over 4 million children found that those relying on urgent care centers for more than a third of their outpatient needs had fewer visits to primary care providers, potentially missing preventative services like vaccinations. This may lead to concerning health impacts down the road if regular primary care is displaced.
A new study shows that financial incentives can increase the number of emergency department physicians trained to prescribe buprenorphine, a potentially life-saving medication for opioid overdose. By offering reimbursement and a $750 incentive, 89% of physicians were fully trained in six weeks.
An analysis of medical insurance claims and productivity data reveals that non-fatal US injuries result in an estimated $1,590 and 11 days off work per injured employee every year. The study found that total medical costs for emergency care visits exceed $133 billion annually.
A study by NYU Langone Health shows a massive expansion of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic, with virtual urgent care visits growing by 683% and non-urgent virtual care visits increasing by 4,345%. The rapid growth was made possible by US insurers expanding coverage and state licensing relaxations.
A 12-week study involving 1,600 emergency department personnel will assess the effectiveness of practices and personal protective equipment in preventing COVID-19 acquisition. The study aims to identify key strategies for reducing transmission risk among frontline health care workers.
The Academic Emergency Medicine journal is making its latest COVID-19 research freely available in an easy-to-navigate online collection. New research will be added to the collection as soon as it is accepted and available.
The current NHS regulations for charging non-residents are poorly understood and applied by healthcare staff, leading to cases of patients being deterred from accessing care and eligible patients being incorrectly billed. Survey responses also highlight the need for independent review and training on the regulations.
A new two-year apprenticeship course will be launched to train 18 emergency and urgent care nursing associates annually, helping ensure efficient use of NHS resources. The course focuses on Urgent and Emergency care systems, combining university studies with paid employment in hospitals.