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A hospital that pays for itself? Sounds like a fairy tale

Researchers at Texas A&M University designed a fictional hospital to demonstrate the business case for investing in better design. The model shows that by incorporating evidence-based design strategies, hospitals can recover their additional construction costs within two years and achieve over $100 million in net financial gains over t...

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalBMJ Leader·DateJul 15, 2026

Simple digital check-ins improve outcomes for cancer patients, AFT study finds

A new study found that simple weekly electronic symptom check-ins with care teams significantly improves the quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment for advanced cancer. The benefits were notable among patient groups that historically faced barriers to care, including Black patients and those with less formal education.

SourceAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology·JournalJCO Oncology Practice·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 13, 2026

It’s not just on ‘The Pitt’: Real-life emergency doctors are stressed out—and patient irritation plays a significant role

A UMass Amherst-led study finds physicians with irritable patients experience increased anger, anxiety, and fatigue, leading to decreased engagement and quality of care. Patients' frustration affects doctors' emotional state and clinical assessments, ultimately resulting in poorer patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalBMJ Quality & Safety·DateJul 12, 2026

People with past or current criminal legal involvement pay significantly more visits to emergency departments

According to a new study published in PLOS One, people with a history of criminal legal involvement have higher odds of visiting an emergency department, particularly for substance use and mental health reasons. The authors conclude that CLI history should be recognized as a social determinant of health shaping patterns of ED use.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeSurvey·DateJul 8, 2026

Emergency departments across Illinois identify gaps in care for children in mental health crises

A survey of Illinois emergency departments found that many hospitals lack pediatric mental health specialists and struggle with timely access to evaluation by a mental health professional. The study proposes practical solutions, such as investing in mental health staffing, therapeutic activities, and real-time bed tracking to improve c...

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalJournal of the American College of Emergency Physicians Open·DateJul 8, 2026

New study identifies hypoxic liver injury as a key predictor of mortality in severe ARDS patients

A new study found that hypoxic liver injury is a common complication affecting over one in five patients with severe ARDS, strongly associated with increased mortality. The study suggests that HLI may serve as a valuable prognostic marker and reflection of systemic disease severity in critically ill patients.

SourceJournal of Intensive Medicine·JournalJournal of Intensive Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 2, 2026

Risk of falls, adverse events higher for older adults prescribed sedatives after hospitalization

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that older adults discharged from hospital with a new prescription for sedatives are at increased risk of falls, further need for acute hospital care, and death within 30 days. The study looked at over 1.86 million adults aged 66 years and older and found a 20% hig...

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 29, 2026

Wider focus holds key to unlocking improvement in global injury care

A new study reveals that improving one element of a healthcare system can lead to worse patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries due to systemic interconnectedness. Enhancing trust in the healthcare system had the greatest impact on clinical outcomes, but increased demand from more patients can quickly overwhelm services.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2026

Awareness of Freedom House Ambulance Service, historically overlooked, surged after "The Pitt"

A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that a single TV episode sparked a surge in awareness and conversations about the historic ambulance service. Online search trends and social media conversations revealed how entertainment media can spark curiosity and learning about forgotten topics.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAmerican Journal of Health Promotion·TypeContent analysis·DateJun 17, 2026

NATO battlefield surgery training and surgical simulations among the first courses at Semmelweis University’s new Innovation Center

Semmelweis University's new Anatomy & Innovation Center for Education and Research has hosted two NATO battlefield surgery courses, providing realistic environments for learning and practicing new procedures. The center aims to improve patient safety and quality of care through advanced technologies and hands-on training.

Female patients with traumatic brain injury less likely to be admitted to trauma centres

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that female patients with traumatic brain injuries are 26% less likely to be admitted to specialized trauma centers than males. This disparity persisted even after adjusting for factors like age, severity of injury, and other health conditions.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJun 15, 2026

More than two decades after 9/11, the children of World Trade Center responders are still experiencing mental health ill-effects

A new study finds that adult children of World Trade Center responders with PTSD are experiencing intergenerational transmission of trauma and ongoing mental health issues more than two decades after the 9/11 attacks. The research highlights the lasting impact of trauma on families and communities affected by the disaster.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Mental Health·DateMay 27, 2026

Clinical trial offers hope of better recovery for intensive care survivors

A clinical trial found that a remote multicomponent rehabilitation programme can improve quality of life for patients recovering from intensive care, particularly those ventilated for shorter periods. The online intervention combined symptom management, exercise, psychological support, and peer information, offering hope for better rec...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalJAMA·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 19, 2026

New benchmarks based on top performers aim for achievable excellence in pediatric emergency care

A study derived 'achievable benchmarks of care' (ABCs) using electronic health record data to set realistic performance goals for pediatric emergency departments. The new benchmarks highlight gaps between typical and top-performing clinician performance, particularly in domains such as pain reduction and asthma management.

Cost of emergency hospital admissions for mental health problems in young people almost quadruples over a decade

The total cost of emergency admissions for mental health among children and young people in England rose from £22.5 million to £87.3 million between 2012/13 and 2021/22, driven by increases in admission rates and lengths of stay. Eating disorders and self-harm were the two most costly conditions, with over 80% of total mental health co...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalBMJ Open·TypeObservational study·DateMay 19, 2026

First-ever freeze-dried artificial platelets are shelf-stable and portable—a major advance for field medicine

Artificial platelets have been developed that remain stable and effective after a year at room temperature and two months at high temperatures. This technology could enable direct injection of synthetic platelets into bone marrow to treat life-threatening bleeding in remote areas or disaster zones.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2026

University of Cincinnati works with local paramedics to advance sudden cardiac arrest research

A University of Cincinnati study proves the feasibility and scalability of collecting blood from patients in cardiac arrest during treatment. The approach, which involves paramedics delivering samples to a biorepository, showed significant variation among patients and underscores the need for further research.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalPrehospital Emergency Care·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 24, 2026

Preparing Canada’s health system for military conflicts

Canada's health system would bear the burden of medical care in major armed conflicts, and lacks a coordinated command structure and surge capacity. A national framework with three pillars – sustained clinical readiness, dual-use capacity, and formal coordination – is proposed to address this vulnerability.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 30, 2026

Neighborhood factors may lead to increased COPD-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations

A new study reveals that neighborhood characteristics, including poverty and lower educational attainment, are associated with higher COPD-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Community-level interventions targeting these risk factors can help improve quality of life and reduce acute care use.

SourceCOPD Foundation·JournalChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Journal of the COPD Foundation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 19, 2026

Medicare patients get different stroke care depending on plan, analysis reveals

A study by University of Virginia Health System researchers found that Medicare Advantage patients had better access to preventive care and rehabilitation after a stroke, leading to faster recovery times. In contrast, traditional Medicare patients were less likely to receive these services due to prior authorization requirements.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of Comparative Effectiveness Research·DateFeb 18, 2026