Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
Contact lens wearers are advised to remove their lenses before sleeping to avoid microbial keratitis, a potentially serious infection. Proper eye care is crucial to prevent such health issues.
Researchers urge employers to integrate mental health first aid into a broader system of support for employees. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health recommends a 'prevention first' approach that tackles root causes of mental health issues through good management and organizational culture.
A new care model at Nemours Children's Hospital reduces the use of medication for children with autism spectrum disorders in emergency visits. The REACH Program uses distraction objects and rewards to manage anxiety and agitation, leading to improved patient experiences.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine finds that children and adolescents who survive firearm injuries have increased long-term mortality rates compared to those who survive nonviolent trauma. The study identifies socioeconomic disparities as a key factor in these disparities.
A nationwide study of cardiac arrests found ambulances took nearly four minutes longer to handle calls from low-income areas than high-income communities. The study highlights the importance of ensuring access to care for vulnerable populations.
A new study found that transfusions of packed red blood cells stored for 22 days or more are associated with a 5% increase in mortality risk in trauma patients. The study suggests that patients who require massive transfusions may benefit from receiving fresh stored packed red blood cells, or those stored for 14 days or less.
A systematic review of 15 studies found no strong evidence to support the effectiveness and safety of diverting low-need patients from emergency departments. The strategy was also not effective in reducing subsequent use of emergency care services.
A UK population-based study found nearly one in five ICU survivors die within one year after discharge. Increased hospital use before and after ICU stay is associated with a higher risk of death, along with older age, multiple medical conditions, and organizational factors indicating high system stress.
A screening tool can identify child sex trafficking victims presenting with high-risk health complaints in a pediatric emergency department. The study suggests that this tool presents minimal risk of harm and does not require significant extra time or resources.
Hands-Only CPR training kiosks are effective in teaching life-saving skills in minutes, increasing bystander intervention and improving survival rates. The study found that kiosk sessions outperformed video-only sessions in raising awareness and teaching techniques.
A study analyzed over 100,000 Yelp reviews to identify key themes in emergency department and urgent care center ratings. Emergency departments received high marks for bedside manner but low marks for speed of care, while urgent care centers excelled in ease of prescription refills but struggled with patient confidence.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine demonstrated that long-term follow-up in a trauma patient population is feasible. The study used established contact strategies and various interview locations to track hard-to-reach populations. Researchers suggest exploring newer methods of contacting participants through techno...
Research suggests that the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion helped low-income families access more comprehensive care, leading to a significant drop in emergency department visits by uninsured patients in Illinois. The study found a 40% reduction in uncompensated care in emergency departments between 2009 and 2015.
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that 15.7% of emergency department visits could be denied coverage based on discharge diagnoses. Patients may face difficulties self-determining their medical needs, highlighting the need for alternative solutions.
A recent study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal found that simply eyeballing patients may be more effective than using a formal structured assessment to prioritize those who are the sickest. The researchers compared the triage decisions made by experienced nurses and phlebotomists with medical students, finding that basic cl...
Research shows ALD patients have worse outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) with lower survival rates and higher risk of emergency hospital admissions. The study emphasizes the need for better community services for alcohol addiction and management of long-term conditions.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine suggests that intravenous, low-dose ketamine is as effective as intravenous morphine in controlling acute pain in adults in the emergency department. The findings indicate that ketamine can be considered as an alternative to opioids for ED short-term pain control.
A study published in CMAJ found that immigrant and refugee youth are more likely to visit emergency departments for new mental health issues, highlighting gaps in access to outpatient mental health care. The study suggests that barriers to primary care services, including language and cultural differences, contribute to this issue.
A brief assessment of emergency department (ED) threat perceptions can identify patients at risk for developing cardiac-induced PTSD. The study developed a seven-item measure to assess subjective feelings of helplessness or lack of control in ED patients evaluated for acute coronary syndrome.
Boston Medical Center (BMC) is leading a $3.2M education program to educate hospital providers on how to counsel women about contraception use, particularly long-acting reversible contraception methods. The program aims to improve birth control options for pregnant women and reduce unwanted pregnancies.
A new accelerated diagnostic protocol, HEART Pathway, is effective in identifying low-risk ED patients with acute chest pain who can be safely sent home without hospitalization or comprehensive cardiac testing. The study found a 6% reduction in hospitalizations and significant decreases in median length of stay and use of stress testing.
An observational study found significant differences in survival rates for patients treated by different EMS agencies, with odds of survival varying more than 50% between two agencies. The study included nearly 44,000 adults and treated by 112 EMS agencies in the US and Canada.
A new information tool helps parents make informed decisions about their children's care after minor head trauma, leading to increased parent knowledge and reduced healthcare utilization. However, the tool did not reduce the rate of CT imaging in emergency departments.
A visual aid designed for parents of children with minor head injuries helped them communicate with emergency medicine physicians and make informed decisions about their child's care. Parents who used the decision aid had better understanding of symptoms, relative risk of brain injury, and pros and cons of CT scans.
A recent UA study found that Arizona EMTs have a 39% greater risk of suicide compared to the general public. The study's authors aim to address this issue by developing educational resources and resiliency training programs for EMTs. Their efforts hope to minimize the risks associated with EMS service and support community heroes in need.
The American Geriatrics Society unveiled a suite of online tools to aid surgeons in caring for older adults, with nine interactive clinical scenarios exploring unique challenges and opportunities in surgical care. The tools aim to improve care for the growing population of older adults undergoing surgery.
A study found that patients with higher continuity with their prescribing physician received fewer risky opioid prescriptions and were less likely to be hospitalized for opioid-related causes. However, long-term opioid use was associated with lower continuity scores than other medications, highlighting the need for improved prescribing...
Researchers found a decline in snakebites during droughts and an increase after rainy periods. Climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, leading to more snakebites.
The new guidelines standardize a framework for recognizing, treating and managing a child's recovery from mild traumatic brain injury. Key recommendations include screening for risk factors, safe prescribing and education for children and families.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that urgent care visits have increased significantly while emergency room visits for low-acuity conditions have decreased by 36 percent between 2008 and 2015. The growth of urgent care centers is attributed to their convenience, shorter wait times, and lower costs.
A new CDC treatment guideline for children with concussions provides guidance on diagnosis, management, and follow-up care. The guideline recommends validated symptom scales for diagnosis and assessing risk factors for prolonged recovery.
A new analysis suggests that improving communication strategies can improve treatment protocols for at-risk casualties in chemical exposure incidents. The study recommends introducing an immediate 'disrobe and dry' decontamination stage, which enables first responders to reassure victims and start providing instructions.
Researchers found a 3% better survival rate for patients who received laryngeal tube (LT) devices on scene compared to traditional intubation breathing tube methods. The study showed that LT devices could potentially save over 10,000 lives annually.
A new study published in Academic Emergency Medicine finds that risk adjusting for race and poverty improves the apparent performance of hospitals treating large numbers of nonwhite or poor patients. The study's lead author recommends including sociodemographic adjustment in payment models to prevent harm to vulnerable populations.
Research reveals that hospitals struggle to collect forensic evidence from rape kits, with only a third of eligible patients completing the process and handing over evidence to police. Survivors face complex legal systems and potential trauma, emphasizing the need for proper support in emergency care departments.
A program keeping elderly aged care residents out of hospital emergency departments has been successful in reducing demand on emergency services. The 'Hospital in the Nursing Home' program saw a 47% decrease in hospital admissions among aged care patients, with an estimated economic benefit of AU$8 million per year.
Research published in BMJ Paediatrics Open found a link between parental depression and increased healthcare needs among children. The study revealed a 41% increase in emergency department attendance among children of depressed parents.
A new study in Academic Emergency Medicine found that emergency department testing for HCV increased monthly screenings by 6,000 percent. The program successfully diagnosed and treated 292 active infections, with 155 cases falling outside the CDC's birth cohort for high-risk individuals.
The Pediatric NEXUS Head Computed Tomography Decision Instrument (DI) reliably guides blunt trauma imaging decisions and may decrease head CT imaging in low-risk pediatric populations. The study found that the decision instrument could significantly reduce head CT utilization by up to 34%.
The study found variations in antibiotic prescribing patterns among different outpatient settings, including urgent care centers, retail clinics, and emergency departments. These variations suggest differences in patient mix and the potential for unnecessary antibiotic use, particularly for viral respiratory infections.
A new study found that one in four working-age adults with type 1 diabetes experienced at least one gap of 30 days or more in their private health insurance, leading to a five-fold increase in emergency room visits and hospital stays. The gaps resulted in higher blood sugar levels and decreased satisfaction with life.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that pelvic exams lack reliability and provide little new information for diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in adolescent females. The study's authors argue that rapid urine STD testing provides a more accurate and less invasive way to diagnose these diseases.
A study of nearly 1000 emergency care patients found that visible body art has no discernible impact on perceived professionalism or competence. Patients rated doctors with tattoos and piercings highly for qualities such as caring attitude, approachability, and trustworthiness.
ER patients often want more than just a diagnosis; they seek reassurance, symptom management guidance, and navigation of the healthcare system. Research reveals that addressing these concrete needs can improve patient care outcomes.
Researchers found that hospital occupancy levels, particularly in the middle range, were associated with a lower risk of C. diff infections. When the hospital was between 25 percent and 75 percent full, the risk of infection was more than three times higher compared to less than 25 percent or more than 75 percent occupancy.
A pilot study found nearly half of ED-arrival mothers screened positive for PPD, highlighting the need for routine screening in emergency departments. Interventions improved mental health outcomes and family support, with many participants thanking healthcare providers for follow-up care.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine finds that hospital at home (HaH) care reduces length of stay, hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, and transfers to skilled nursing facilities. HaH also improves patient experience and satisfaction rates compared to traditional inpatient care.
Research suggests that standardized online and in-person courses are falling short and need improvement to optimize retention and mastery. The American Heart Association recommends adopting best practices in education, such as mastery learning, spaced practice, and feedback, to enhance CPR skills.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that most emergency department patients want some degree of involvement in decision making, but will wait for a clinician's invitation. The study recommends clear explanations and avoiding misdiagnosis of patient preferences based on verbal cues.
A new study by St. Michael's Hospital found that one in three adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) visit the emergency department annually. Effective primary care can reduce these numbers by increasing continuity of care and preventive measures.
A review of current evidence published in Annals of Emergency Medicine suggests that emergency department-facilitated transitions to outpatient care with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) lead to healthier patient outcomes. MAT improves long-term outcomes, reduces fatal overdose risk and hospitalizations.
A new analysis reveals that rural areas struggle to retain emergency physicians, while advanced practice providers like nurse practitioners provide disproportionately more emergency care. The study highlights the need for targeted training and policy changes to address these workforce gaps.
Primary care providers report that the Healthy Michigan Plan has helped patients manage their health, detect problems early, and improve their ability to work and live independently. The plan's coverage has also led to better adherence to prescribed medicines and improved emotional well-being among patients.
A new study found that after the Affordable Care Act's expansion, Medicaid and uninsured patients had improved access to health services outside of emergency departments, leading to a decline in frequent ED use. Frequent ED users were responsible for 30.7% of visits before the legislation and 31.6% after coverage was expanded.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that US pediatric eye injuries decreased by 26.1% from 2006 to 2014. Most of these injuries had a low risk of causing permanent vision loss. In contrast, sports and household-related injuries increased, while motor vehicle crashes, gun-related incidents, and chemical burns declined.
Drowning deaths often result from cardiac events rather than 'dry drowning.' Experts emphasize the need for precise terminology and strategies for increasing oxygenation. The American Red Cross suggests patients seek care if symptoms worsen after water inhalation.
A comprehensive analysis of Medicaid expansion found significant improvements in various health outcomes, including increased insurance coverage among adults without a college degree, higher use of primary care and preventive services, and reduced reliance on emergency departments. The study also reported declines in short- and long-te...
A study found that cost was the strongest factor in decreased desire for diagnostic testing, with patients willing to forego tests due to financial burden. Implementing financial considerations to alter testing behavior may be necessary to address this issue and improve healthcare outcomes.
The University of Cincinnati will examine the effectiveness of combining tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) with either argatroban or eptifibatide in treating acute ischemic stroke patients. The five-year NIH grant will enroll 1,200 patients across the US and assess outcomes at 90 days post-stroke.
A new study found that many patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions do not receive adequate follow-up care after hospital discharge. The study revealed that approximately half of the patients saw a general practitioner, while about half were discharged without TBI educational materials.