Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
A new study measures the causes behind the US health care spending increase, attributing 50% to price and intensity of services. The analysis reveals that factors like population growth, age, disease prevalence, and utilization drive most of the spending increase.
A team from Michigan Medicine proposes a data-driven, insurer-funded approach to make surgery safer and less expensive for all; the Value Partnership model has saved lives and dollars at 72 Michigan hospitals, with potential for federal help to accelerate nationwide adoption.
A new study found that smokers who received financial incentives, in addition to personalized support, were nearly 10 times more likely to quit smoking after six months compared to those in the control group. The intervention also showed significant reductions in smoking rates among older participants, women, and non-white smokers.
A randomized, double-blind study found that haloperidol reduces nausea and pain in patients with acute gastroparesis, suggesting it as a promising adjunctive therapy. The addition of haloperidol to conventional therapy is better than conventional therapy alone without side effects.
Consultants argue that the four-hour wait target remains essential for driving flow through the urgent care system, reducing mortality rates. Experts caution that abandoning the target could worsen hospital overcrowding and performance issues due to perverse incentives.
A standardized eight-step ambulatory surgery care protocol reduced patients' postoperative pain and unplanned returns to the emergency room after surgery. The protocol emphasized patient preoperative education and preferential use of monitored anesthesia care, significantly reducing rates of unplanned visits.
A study found that asthma prevalence and emergency department visits vary widely among different NYC neighborhoods. Pollutants like nitrogen dioxide and elemental carbon are associated with greater urgent asthma care in lower-prevalence areas, especially among children.
A single-center study compared outcomes of 222 hip fracture patients treated before and after implementing the Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) model. PSH patients had reduced mortality rates, fewer ER visits, and higher discharge rates to home care.
Tufts Medical Center joins a new initiative to advance critical emergency medicine research with the Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN) Network. The SIREN Network will conduct large-scale clinical trials to test new treatments in cardiology and neurology.
A recent Regenstrief Institute study explores the impact of health information exchange on patient outcomes in emergency departments. The research reveals that access to complete medical records via health information exchange may lead to reduced hospitalizations, improved decision-making, and better patient care.
A new study by University of Maryland School Medicine researchers found that nearly half of all US medical care is delivered by emergency departments. Emergency department visits increased by 44% over a 14-year period, with African-American patients and those without insurance using these services at a higher rate.
PrEP prescriptions increased by 976% in NYC between 2014 and 2016, but men of color, women, and those outside city centers were less likely to receive the HIV prevention medication. Many medical students and healthcare providers remain unaware of PrEP's benefits, highlighting the need for education and outreach programs.
The SIREN network pools resources to boost patient numbers for emergency medicine clinical trials, targeting vulnerable populations and life-threatening emergencies like heart attacks, lung disease, trauma, and more. The network aims to improve treatments and outcomes for patients in critical care situations.
Medicare beneficiaries who receive home health services from lower-quality agencies are more likely to experience higher rates of hospital admissions and emergency department visits. Home health care is a critical area for addressing healthcare disparities, particularly among vulnerable populations.
A community-based program, Bridges to Care, reduced ED visits and hospital admissions while increasing primary care use among Medicaid-eligible high ED users. The program provided intensive medical, behavioral health, and social care coordination services.
The UNC School of Medicine will use the grant to develop a new protocol for Afib patients, allowing them to receive care in outpatient settings. The goal is to reduce hospitalizations and improve patient engagement in their own health.
Emergency room patients prescribed opioids are less likely to become long-term users, with prescriptions exceeding 7 days decreasing by 84-91% in ER settings. This study suggests that adherence to CDC guidelines may contribute to reduced opioid misuse.
Women earn less than men regardless of rank or training, with women leaving careers due to advancement issues. Underrepresented minorities are underrepresented in senior positions and promotions across all levels
Researchers developed an electronic triage tool to improve patient care in emergency departments, identifying critically ill patients and assigning priority treatment levels. The tool showed equal or improved identification of patient outcomes compared to the existing emergency severity index (ESI) based on a multi-site retrospective s...
A new study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found no association between prehospital advanced cardiac life support and survival for patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Instead, the study suggests focusing on increasing bystander CPR, decreasing response times, and defibrillation.
A new study finds that many pediatric emergency department physicians do not discuss firearm injury prevention when discussing overall injury prevention issues. Despite the importance of primary prevention, only half as many clinicians provide counseling on firearm injury prevention compared to other topics.
Two studies funded by PCORI will compare strategies to improve care-management transitions for adolescent and young adults with sickle cell disease. The projects aim to reduce emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and improve quality of life among young adults with the condition.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that patients with limited health literacy are more likely to visit the emergency department for potentially avoidable reasons. The researchers propose that targeted interventions can reduce preventable ED visits and improve healthcare efficiency.
A recent study found that 3.3% of all emergency department visits were avoidable, with the top causes being alcohol abuse, dental disorders, and depressive disorders. Increasing access to dental and mental health facilities could reduce these visits, providing treatment at a lower cost elsewhere.
A new University of Michigan study found that tired family caregivers are associated with greater ER visits and higher overall health care costs for the person they care for. Patients with fatigued or sad caregivers had 23% higher emergency department visits and $1,900 more in Medicare costs.
The University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson is part of a team selected for the Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN), a new initiative by the National Institutes of Health. The SIREN grant aims to improve emergency care and clinical outcomes through large multi-site clinical trials.
PCORI's Board of Governors approved nearly $74 million for seven studies on palliative care. The projects will compare different strategies to deliver care and examine their impact on quality of life, hospitalizations, and caregiver burden.
A recent study found that the opioid crisis has led to a significant increase in ICU admissions and deaths in US hospitals, with an estimated nearly double increase in deaths from opioid overdoses. The study also revealed that the cost of caring for these patients increased significantly during this period.
A new healthcare delivery model proposes partnering ERs with primary care to address failing health in underserved areas. This approach aims to connect patients to other physicians and resources, improving overall rural population health.
A new study found that nearly one in five family medicine physicians accepted payments from pharmaceutical companies related to opioids, while anesthesiologists received the most total annual payments. The study suggests that pharmaceutical companies may have a stronger hold on how doctors prescribe opioids than previously known.
A recent study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that physician implicit racial bias does not directly affect treatment decisions, but may contribute to healthcare disparities. The study suggests that biases may indirectly influence patient outcomes and warrants further research.
A study by Cathy Bradley found that small cash incentives and interactions with health program coordinators can increase primary care visits among low-income individuals, reducing emergency department use and improving patient care. The study showed a significant reduction in costs overall.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a grant to advance emergency care in Southern California. The Strategies to Innovate EmeRgENcy Care Clinical Trials Network (SIREN), led by LA BioMed, aims to conduct large-scale clinical trials to improve patient outcomes for cardiac arrest, trauma, and other medical emergencies.
A new study from NUI Galway has identified vinegar and heat as the best treatment for lion's mane jellyfish stings. The findings, published in Toxins, recommend rinsing with vinegar or a commercial product to remove tentacles and then immersing in hot water for 40 minutes.
Researchers found that Medicaid expansion under the ACA reduced total emergency department visits in Maryland by nearly 36,000, with a 6% increase in Medicaid-covered visits and a 6% decrease in uninsured patient visits. The study suggests that while the ACA did not immediately reduce emergency department utilization, it provides incre...
A study found that 67% of pet owners surveyed couldn't accurately recognize veterinary emergencies, with many calling out-of-hours services for convenience or reassurance. Veterinary practices can help by providing guidance on emergency conditions and training receptionists in telephone triage.
A study published in Academic Emergency Medicine found that integrating clinical decision support into electronic medical records decreases high-cost imaging utilization, especially among higher users. This standardizes care delivery and improves compliance with evidence-based guidelines.
A new study by MIT economists reveals that hospitals investing more in inpatient care yield better results than those relying on skilled nursing facilities after discharge. This is particularly true for elderly Medicare recipients, who experience lower mortality rates when receiving quality initial care.
A study by The Ottawa Hospital found that delayed emergency surgeries are associated with a higher mortality risk, longer hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. The researchers also identified reasons for delays, including lack of operating room or staff availability.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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...