Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
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A recent study found that elderly patients who visit emergency departments due to falls are at risk for adverse events, including additional falls, hospitalization, and death within 6 months. The study highlights the importance of educating patients on how to prevent falls after discharge from the emergency department.
A recent study by CHLA found that caregivers are generally more satisfied with actual care than expected in pediatric emergency departments. Effective communication between physicians and families can improve expectations and health knowledge.
A new study found that a V.A. initiative to improve end-of-life care led to a substantial increase in the use of hospice among U.S. veterans. Hospice use grew at a rate twice as fast as the general Medicare population, with an estimated additional 17,046 veterans receiving hospice care between 2010 and 2014.
Researchers developed a novel technique that combines a micro-camera with a subjective re-situ interview to better understand physician decision-making in emergency medicine. The study found that this approach provided a more authentic understanding of clinical decision-making compared to traditional external perspectives.
A RAND Corporation study found that safety-net providers adopting a medical home model improved primary care access but did not decrease specialty care use or Medicare expenditures. The model aims to provide comprehensive, personalized care, which can improve outcomes for chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma.
States that expanded Medicaid coverage saw a 2.5% increase in emergency department visits per 1,000 people after 2014, while uninsured ER visits decreased by 5.3%. The study found larger impacts on states with higher childless adult populations.
A Drexel University study finds that Obamacare has narrowed the gap in care between Mexican-Americans and white Americans with high blood pressure, increasing insurance rates, doctor visits, and regular sources of care. The Affordable Care Act also improved treatment outcomes for Mexican-heritage patients with hypertension.
A special supplement to Wilderness & Environmental Medicine outlines the transferability of military trauma care techniques to austere environments. Key findings include the reduction of preventable trauma deaths from bleeding, airway obstruction, and collapsed lungs with TCCC guidelines.
Researchers found no difference in important clinical outcomes for pediatric trauma patients who received routine ultrasound evaluations compared to those without. The study aimed to determine whether ultrasound could safely decrease CT scan use and improve resource use, but results showed minor savings of $1,200 per patient.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that the level of benefit, risk, and cost significantly influence patients' decisions to receive a diagnostic test. The researchers discovered that participants were more likely to accept a diagnostic test when the cost was lower, highlighting the impact of financial burden on medi...
A new electronic sepsis alert protocol has been implemented in pediatric emergency departments, reducing missed diagnoses of severe sepsis by 76 percent. The protocol uses a combination of vital signs, risk factors, and physician judgment to identify children at high risk of developing sepsis.
Researchers at UCSF found that black heart attack patients suffered higher mortality rates when ambulances were diverted due to hospital overcrowding. In contrast, better coordination between correctional and community health care systems can help reduce these disparities. A separate study also found that released prisoners who receive...
A study led by Dr. Allysha C. Maragh-Bass found that transgender patients prioritize disclosing their gender identity over sexual orientation in healthcare, highlighting the importance of creating a safe environment for these individuals.
A study of emergency medicine doctors found that adult patients are charged 340% more than Medicare pays for services. The largest hospital markups disproportionately affect minorities and uninsured patients, highlighting a need for fairer and more transparent healthcare pricing.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that only 38% of emergency medicine healthcare professionals can accurately estimate the costs for three common conditions. This lack of transparency has the potential to lower costs for patients and the overall healthcare system.
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists has launched a global anaesthesia workforce map, highlighting huge shortages and disparities in high vs low-income countries. The map shows that only 1 in 100,000 people in some Sub-Saharan African countries have access to trained anaesthesia providers.
A new Finnish study found that nearly half of patients with refractory status epilepticus (RSE) recovered to baseline function within a year. The study analyzed data from a population-based cohort and showed a mortality rate of 25% for RSE patients and 36% for super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) patients.
Critical care is a constantly evolving field with a huge literature base. EM physicians must stay up-to-date on medical literature to provide the best care for their patients. The recent PEITHO 2 study has sparked debate on pulmonary embolism treatment, and sepsis care requires being mindful of fluid type, pressors, and culture data.
A study found that ER overcrowding is associated with a significant delay in sepsis treatment, resulting in increased mortality risk. Patients presenting to crowded ERs waited an average of 47 minutes longer for antibiotics compared to uncrowded ERs.
A University of Pittsburgh-led study covering nearly 50,000 patients found that hospitals in New York State that followed the 'three-hour bundle' protocol for sepsis treatment had lower mortality rates. The protocol requires early identification and treatment within three hours of diagnosis, with completion averaging 1.3 hours.
Michigan Medicine researchers explored best practices in EMS oversight to improve pre-hospital care. They identified seven key factors for high-quality EMS oversight: competition and collaboration, leadership, organizational structure, quality improvement culture and practice, relationships and communication, resources, and community-s...
A study found that using smartphones to deliver lab results to attending physicians reduced discharge time by 26 minutes for chest pain patients. This innovation could improve emergency department flow and reduce waiting times.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) assessment is accurate, timely, and associated with low pain levels and high caregiver satisfaction. POCUS was compared to X-ray for diagnosing distal forearm fractures in children, yielding a sensitivity of 94.7% and specificity of 93.5%.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that prednisone did not provide additional relief for emergency patients with hives. Antihistamine levocetirizine alone achieved full itching relief within 2 days for 76% of patients.
A Johns Hopkins Medicine research team successfully flew a specialist to a stroke patient, improving outcomes and reducing costs. The study demonstrates the feasibility of helicopter-based care for time-sensitive procedures like catheter-based treatment.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii have found that man o' war sting first aid should be based on evidence, not traditional practices. Vinegar rinses and hot water treatments are effective in neutralizing venom and reducing pain, while seawater rinses can worsen stings.
A new study by MIT researchers found that Medicaid patients wait 4.6 minutes on average to start an appointment, compared to 4.1 minutes for privately insured patients. The disparity in wait times is largely due to the type of provider seen, with Medicaid recipients more likely to visit practices with longer wait times.
Health promotion advocates in pediatric emergency rooms identify young people experimenting with substances and connect them with necessary resources and treatment. Over four years, advocates screened 2,149 patients for risky behaviors and referred 81% to substance use disorder treatment services.
Research reveals that only one in five children with suspected child abuse-related serious injuries is treated at a designated major trauma centre. These children face nearly three times the mortality risk as those injured unintentionally.
A study published in CMAJ found that team-based primary care practices in Quebec had lower rates of emergency department visits and death among older or chronically ill patients after hospital discharge. The researchers attributed this to better coordination of care, which reduces hospital readmission and death.
Researchers used extensive interviewing and focus group methods to explore asthma treatment goals. A three-step qualitative process identifies patient-relevant concepts, ranks them, and refines assessment questions for concept measurement. The study suggests assessing symptom improvement, medication access, medication use, and asthma k...
A new study by ER docs shows that administering medications via the nose can be a helpful option for certain patients, especially children. Intranasal administration of midazolam, fentanyl, naloxone, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine can provide effective pain relief and seizure treatment.
A study found that adding a question about blood thinner use improves sensitivity for identifying traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Researchers analyzed charts for 2,100 patients and suggested that medication history should be available to EMS providers to ensure timely treatment.
The study found that freestanding emergency departments charge significantly higher prices than urgent care centers, with average costs ranging from $1,351 for common diagnoses to $2,199. This can lead to substantial out-of-pocket costs for patients and increased health care costs for insurers.
A new study recommends that pharmacies offer naloxone universally to patients taking opioid medications, without a prescription requirement. This could lead to a significant decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths.
A new study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that day of the week did not affect survival chances of people undergoing emergency surgery. Researchers analyzed over 50,000 emergency surgery cases in Scotland and found no evidence to link day of the week to an increased risk of death.
A study found that children with suspected appendicitis receive better diagnostic evaluation and reduced radiation exposure when ultrasound services are available 24/7. Hospitals can improve care by adding in-house coverage for ultrasound.
A new study found that telemedicine-equipped ambulances can deliver faster stroke care, with average treatment times reduced by 33 minutes for CT scans and 40 minutes for clot-busting drugs. This technology enables neurologists to evaluate and treat patients on the way to the hospital.
A study found that female emergency medicine residents receive lower scores than males across all sub-competencies, despite initial equality. The gap widens as training advances, with males receiving higher evaluations and milestone attainment rates.
A new study validates the Ottawa Heart Failure Risk Scale (OHFRS) as a reliable predictor of serious adverse events in acute heart failure patients. The OHFRS, combined with NT-ProBNP blood test results, improves prediction accuracy, enabling safer hospital discharge decisions and reducing unnecessary admissions.
Emergency medicine residents are evaluated on 23 categories, but by the end of their third year, males receive higher scores and advance faster, while females trail behind. The study highlights the need for faculty physicians to be aware of gender bias in residency training.
Women tend to react with anger when presented with the prospect of riding in an automated ambulance, reducing their willingness. Men are more prone to respond with fear or happiness, increasing their willingness. The study suggests that education and awareness could help offset these emotional responses.
A RAND Corporation study found that direct-to-consumer telehealth services prompt new use of medical services, leading to increased spending. Despite the convenience and lower costs associated with telehealth visits, only 12% of telemedicine visits replaced traditional office visits, while 88% represented new use of medical services.
A study of nearly 12,000 records found that community-based palliative care reduced emergency department visits for dying patients by an average of two times per year. Patients receiving palliative care were more likely to live in urban areas and have a partner, leading to significant reductions in ER visits.
A double-blind, randomized clinical trial found that patients treated with naproxen and placebo had outcomes as good as those treated with naproxen and diazepam (Valium) for acute lower back pain. By three months after visiting the emergency department, most patients had recovered completely regardless of treatment.
A new study reveals that nearly one in four people who seek emergency care for eye problems have mild conditions, such as conjunctivitis or blepharitis, that don't require emergency treatment. The researchers recommend ways to reduce inappropriate ER visits, including telemedicine and after-hours appointments.
A new study found that states pay higher costs for care and patients face greater pain and psychological distress when they do not receive scheduled dialysis treatments. The research highlights the need to reconsider professional and societal approaches to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) for undocumented patients.
High-concentration peroxide ingestion has been linked to life-threatening ailments such as seizure, stroke, and respiratory distress, with a mortality rate of 6.8%. Early treatment with hyperbaric oxygen can improve outcomes.
A study published in The BMJ found that continuity of care with a general practitioner is associated with lower hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions among older patients. Patients who saw the same GP more frequently experienced almost 9-12% fewer admissions.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that lung ultrasound enhances pretest risk stratification for pulmonary embolism, detecting alternative diagnoses such as pneumonia or pleural effusion. This improves diagnostic accuracy and reduces unnecessary radiation exposure.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found no association between intravenous contrast media and acute kidney injury. The research, which analyzed five years of records, showed that the probability of developing acute kidney injury was higher for patients receiving unenhanced CT scans.
A new healthcare model integrating obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, and behavioral health has significantly reduced the utilization of emergency services and hospital days for pregnant women and their newborns. The study found annual savings of over $800,000 for pregnant women and $1.6 million for newborns.
Experts discuss four core ethical issues: whether death is beneficial, PAS/E vs. WWLST, intentional causation of death, and reasonable accommodations. Proponents argue for legalization, while opponents highlight moral differences.
A new study from the University of Missouri Health Care found that using electronic health records can improve patient care on warfarin after discharge. The EHR system provides a comprehensive health summary for each admitted patient, making it easier for providers to access and manage warfarin therapy.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that physicians consistently underestimate ACS risk for women and minorities, despite objective assessments suggesting higher risk. The study suggests that the ED evaluation of chest pain has become protocolized, immune to unconscious bias.
A new study found that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) improved health care access and utilization among Latinos, but persistent disparities persist. The study suggests expanding the law to undocumented immigrants could help combat these disparities.
A study by Yale researchers found that older adults who visit the emergency department (ED) are at increased risk for disability and decline in physical abilities up to six months later. The discharged group had significantly higher disability scores than the control group, and were also more likely to be living in a nursing home.
Patients with mental health emergencies in Massachusetts wait an average of 16.5 hours for hospital admission and 21.5 hours for transfer to another facility compared to 4.2 hours for medical patients.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine reports a case of a 6-year-old child who ingested liquid nicotine from an e-cigarette, requiring intubation and ICU admission. The patient's mother had mixed the liquid herself, resulting in a highly concentrated substance that caused severe symptoms and altered mental status.
A retrospective observational study found that patients receiving CT scans for atraumatic headaches in the emergency room were less likely to return within 30 days. The study suggests that CT scans may provide reassurance to patients, preventing return ED visits.