Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
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 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 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 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.
Researchers found that many patients with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) do not receive educational materials or see clinicians for follow-up care after emergency department discharge. Persistent symptoms can impact their daily lives and require additional medical attention.
A large-scale study found that inpatient opioid use and insufficient weaning before discharge may increase outpatient opioid prescriptions. Nearly half of patients who received opioids during hospitalization were more likely to report outpatient opioid use within 90 days.
The updated 'Hour-1 Bundle' introduces five critical steps for treating sepsis immediately upon recognition, including measuring lactate levels, performing blood cultures, and administering broad-spectrum antibiotics. This revised bundle aims to further reduce mortality rates among patients with sepsis by beginning treatment promptly.
Half of primary care patients face social challenges, leading to poorer health outcomes and reduced access to preventive services. More complex cases were associated with higher rates of ambulatory and emergency care visits.
A study analyzed 154,498 NSCLC and 27,834 SCLC patients who died on or before December 31, 2013, revealing racial-ethnic disparities in end-of-life care quality. Minority patients had higher odds of preventable medical encounters, delayed hospice referral, and aggressive chemotherapy during end-of-life.
A study found that providing clinicians with timely and actionable feedback on their opioid prescribing data significantly decreases future opioid prescribing among those who underestimate their baseline prescribing. This intervention may help combat the opioid epidemic by addressing inaccurate provider self-awareness.
A snapshot survey of over 120,500 US Airbnb rentals found that most properties had smoke detectors but fewer had fire extinguishers or first-aid kits. The study suggests that further investigation and intervention are needed to ensure adequate fire safety in these venues.
The SAEM18 Annual Meeting will feature six plenary presentations on various topics in emergency medicine, including laryngeal tube vs endotracheal intubation and socioeconomic status and bronchiolitis severity. The meeting aims to advance academic emergency medicine through education, research, and advocacy.
A recent study found that paramedics using the new drug droperidol sedate patients nearly 70% quicker than those receiving midazolam, with fewer side effects. The Queensland Ambulance Service introduced droperidol in 2016 to reduce violence against paramedics.
A new analysis highlights that undocumented people in certain states may get more medical help due to the current administration's effort to give states more flexibility with their health care spending. States like Florida and Texas have already received permission to increase funding for safety-net hospitals, leading to a 50-70% rise ...
A study published in Critical Care found that blood type O patients had a death rate of 28% after severe trauma, compared to 11% for patients with other blood types. The researchers suggest that lower levels of von Willebrand factor may be linked to higher hemorrhage rates and increased mortality.
A recent study published in CMAJ found that patients who received home care visits from nurses were more likely to visit the emergency department during the evening on the same day. The likelihood of this occurrence was greater among people with non-urgent issues and those who had not been admitted to hospital.
Patients presenting with high specificity and positive likelihood ratio for acute aortic dissection should be suspect. Findings such as hypotension, pulse deficit, or neurologic deficit are key indicators of the condition.
A study from the University of Missouri found that electronic medical record documentation and direct patient care are the most common workflow interruptions in emergency departments, leading to increased workloads and decreased efficiency. The research suggests that changes in workflow could improve patient care and nurse productivity.
Project ASSERT, a peer education program at Boston Medical Center, has been awarded the American College of Physicians' Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Award. The program uses team-based counseling to provide alcohol and substance use services, education, and referral to treatment for over 60,000 patients since 1994.
The transfer of stroke patients out of smaller community hospitals has increased significantly since 2006, with national rates doubling between 2006 and 2014. This trend highlights the need for better coordination between hospitals to determine which patients require transfer to specialized centers.
Dr. Tony Rosen, an emergency physician, was awarded the Jeffrey H. Silverstein Memorial Award for his research on programs to address elder abuse. Most programs focus on raising awareness and public education, but only a few use high-quality study designs.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that patients with one or more high-risk clinical features are at high risk for acute aortic dissection. The study also identified that patients with no high-risk and multiple low-risk features are at low risk for the condition.
A man developed excruciatingly painful episodic headaches after eating a Carolina Reaper, the world's hottest chilli pepper. His symptoms cleared up on their own, and a CT scan later showed that his affected arteries had returned to normal width.
A new protocol for treating fentanyl overdoses has shown that most patients can be safely discharged within two hours of arrival if given the antidote promptly. The study found that only one in nine patients required hospital admission, and complications were extremely rare.