Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
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Researchers have found that using medical skin glue can significantly reduce IV drip failure rates due to infection, pain, blockage or falling out. By reducing the need for replacement, doctors can save staff time and free up valuable healthcare resources.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that newborn telemedicine consultations can positively impact patient care by providing enhanced access to neonatologists. This resulted in one-third of babies being able to stay with their families in the local hospital, increasing the value of care and potential cost savings.
Researchers found that palliative care treatment reduced hospital admissions and difficult transitions for older adults with serious illnesses in nursing homes. Palliative care consultations earlier in the illness also improved outcomes.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that retail clinics near hospital emergency departments did not reduce visits to emergency departments for minor health ailments. The study examined over 2,000 emergency departments across 23 states and found no significant reduction in low-acuity visit rates despite increased retail clinic access.
A study found that retail clinics near emergency departments had little effect on reducing low-acuity visits to them. The growth of retail clinics led to a small decrease in emergency department visits only among patients with private insurance.
The Center for Regenerative Medicine at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine has received three prestigious NIH awards totaling over $9 million to further its commitment to induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) research and education. These awards will support the development of stem cell-based treatments for v...
Every year, approximately 30,000 sports-related eye injuries in the United States result in ER visits, with most cases occurring among children under 18. Basketball and cycling are identified as the most common causes of these injuries. Protective eyewear can significantly reduce the incidence of such injuries.
A new study shows that implementing the WHO Trauma Care Checklist Programme at hospitals worldwide led to substantial improvements in injury care, with increased consistency of care and reduced mortality among severely injured patients. The checklist is a simple tool emphasizing key life-saving elements of initial injury care.
A clinical trial found that patients with large kidney stones passed them more often when treated with the prostate drug Tamsulosin, offering potential relief from painful conditions. The treatment may also allow patients to be treated closer to home, improving care and reducing costs.
A new mobile application, DentaCom, captures and transmits images of dental emergencies to provide dentists with the information needed to make decisions. The app guides individuals through a series of questions, allowing them to complete a guided report and take photos within four minutes.
Research reveals that 35% of patients presenting to emergency departments in Ghana tested positive for alcohol, with certain groups showing higher rates. The study highlights the need for low- and middle-income countries to conduct their own research on alcohol-associated injuries, as global estimates may not accurately reflect local t...
Researchers at Allina Health present findings from the LifeCourse study, which shows that a whole-person approach to care can reduce health care utilization in late-life. The study found that patients who received care from lay health workers experienced improved quality of life and resilience in the face of decline.
The University of Michigan will train junior faculty scholars in emergency critical care research through a new NIH K12 Career Development Program. Scholars will receive broad training in modern clinical and translational science, as well as expertise in grant writing and research mentoring.
The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded a $10.8 million contract to launch the LITES Network, which will create a nationwide trauma system capable of conducting detailed research on trauma care. The network aims to reduce preventable deaths after injury and minimal trauma-related disability.
Elder abuse affects approximately 1 in 10 older adults in the US, with 23 million emergency department visits annually. A new study estimates that only 1 in 7,700 visits result in a formal diagnosis of elder abuse, highlighting a major missed opportunity for patient safety and unmet care needs.
The new opioid urgent care center provides a full continuum of treatment services, including detoxification and follow-up care, to patients with substance use disorders. Faster Paths integrates BMC's existing addiction services to streamline access to treatment.
A nationwide CPR training event aims to improve cardiac arrest survival rates. The training has already been delivered to 31,000 children in the past two years and will reach over 100,000 this year. The initiative is part of a collaboration between leading organizations to create a Nation of Lifesavers.
A study of 34,444 patients found that 21.9% had ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, with 52% having cardiovascular disease. In-patient mortality rates were significantly lower for those with cardiovascular ACSCs compared to non-cardiovascular.
A UK injury data collection pilot has found a significant association between deprivation levels and an increasing incidence rate of unintentional injuries. The study suggests that collecting injury data could help reduce A&E attendances by understanding patterns in communities.
A comprehensive review of studies on alternative management strategies for low-risk acute medical conditions found that all four evaluated approaches are safe, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce healthcare costs. However, some exceptions were noted, including higher-than-anticipated return hospitalization rates for certain condit...
Research from University of Manchester shows link between extended GP hours and fewer A&E visits, but cost savings may not outweigh benefits.
Patients registered to extended-access practices had a 26.4% relative reduction in ED visits for minor problems compared to those with routine access. This resulted in significant cost savings, but no overall reduction in ED visits.
In Illinois, average monthly ER visits increased by 5.7% after Obamacare's implementation. In Massachusetts, availability of on-call specialists declined significantly between 2005 and 2014.
A nurse-initiated protocol to improve timeliness of care can significantly decrease ER stays for patients with certain conditions, including fever and hip fractures. The study found that average length of stay was reduced by almost 4 hours by implementing such a protocol.
A study of over 3 million Medicare patients found that seniors with higher continuity of care had 20% lower risk of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Maintaining a relationship with one doctor can help avoid such situations.
A new study assessed the 'weekend effect' in emergency general surgery patients, revealing a significant reduction in mortality rates from 5.4% to less than 2.9% over 15 years. The study found great improvements in outcomes overall and notable differences in care provided within the week and at the weekend.
A small study found that people with disabilities were more likely to use emergency departments even when they had access to primary health care. The researchers suggest that increased access to mobility clinics with specialized support staff and equipment may be part of the solution.
Researchers found no increase in emergency department visits in states that expanded Medicaid compared to those that didn't. However, Medicaid expansion led to a 27% increase in Medicaid-paid emergency department visits and a 31% decrease in uninsured visits.
A recent study in Health Affairs highlights critical primary care shortcomings in Latin American countries, including high rates of skipping needed care and emergency department usage. The findings emphasize the urgent need for attention to address these gaps as populations continue to age.
Two insurance expansion approaches under ACA associated with increased outpatient and preventive care, reduced emergency department use, and improved self-reported health. The Medicaid expansion and alternative private option were linked to gains in coverage, primary care access, and reduced out-of-pocket spending.
The study found that despite progress toward universal coverage, citizens still reported gaps in primary care organization, financing, and delivery in six Latin American and Caribbean countries. People with better experiences at the primary care level were less likely to say their health system needed major reforms.
A new study found that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act led to increased primary and preventive care, reduced emergency department visits, and improved quality of care for low-income adults in Kentucky and Arkansas. The findings suggest that how states expand coverage may not be as important as expanding coverage itself.
A new street drug combining fentanyl and U-47700 is being marketed as 'Norco' in Central California, posing a significant threat to users. The synthetic opioid's toxicity led to an unexpected cluster of fatal deaths in the area.
The study found that freestanding EDs are concentrated in areas with higher incomes, private insurance rates, and hospital ED presence. This suggests that they may not be expanding access to underserved populations as initially thought.
A small rise in alcohol prices could significantly reduce violence-related injuries in England and Wales, with an estimated 6,000 fewer emergency care visits per year. The study suggests that reforming the current alcohol taxation system would be more effective at reducing violence than minimum unit pricing.
Research suggests a small increase in alcohol duty may reduce violence-related emergency department visits by 6000 annually. Lower on-trade and off-trade prices are associated with higher attendance rates.
Researchers from GW University developed a conceptual model for acute, unscheduled care, identifying issues with current care delivery and proposing ways to improve it. The model incorporates social determinants and care-seeking decisions to optimize outcomes and reduce costs.
Visits to emergency departments for hypertension increased by 64% between 2002 and 2012, despite a decline in hospitalizations. Aggressive home monitoring may be driving patients to ERs without other emergency conditions. Mortality rates were low, with less than 1% of patients dying within 90 days.
A new study by the University of Arizona suggests that physicians should not predict outcomes for comatose cardiac arrest patients too soon. The study found that many patients wake up longer than expected after being rewarmed from therapeutic hypothermia treatment, with some even regaining consciousness five or seven days after admission.
A mobile app improved knowledge and skills in neonatal resuscitation among Ethiopian healthcare workers, but did not significantly reduce perinatal mortality. The app trained workers on managing obstetric and neonatal emergencies through animated videos and local language voiceovers.
After health insurance reform, minority-serving hospitals in Massachusetts saw a significant increase in minority discharges, with 62% of 'safety-net hospital users' continuing to receive care at these facilities. The study suggests that interventions like raising Medicaid reimbursement rates could benefit these vital resources.
A national effort showed that reducing catheter use and UTIs can be achieved through training and tools, saving money and suffering. By the end of an 18-month program, UTI rates dropped by a third in general wards, while catheter use decreased.
A study found that nearly 82% of children with concussion initially sought care through primary care, rather than the emergency department. This highlights the importance of training primary care clinicians in concussion diagnosis and management.
Researchers found that excessive drinkers would pay nearly $3 in $4 of the increased cost of alcohol following state alcohol tax increases. In contrast, non-excessive drinkers would pay less than $10 per year, regardless of hypothetical tax increase amounts.
The study found that emergency medicine residents carry an average of $212,000 in educational debt, surpassing the national average mortgage of $168,000. This debt significantly impacts their career decisions and overall financial well-being.
A University of Arizona study found that implementing a Telephone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (TCPR) program significantly increases survival rates and favorable outcomes for patients who experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. The program, which includes guidelines-based protocols, TCPR training, and quality improvement, result...
Despite federal legislation, Yale researchers found that shortages for acute-care drugs used to treat critically ill patients have increased since the passage of FDASIA. The median duration of these shortages was approximately eight months, posing risks of medical error and reduced effectiveness.
A new study by Northwestern Medicine reveals that low-income families spend 2.5 times more on emergency department and hospitalization costs for children with food allergies, highlighting a significant gap in preventive care and access to special foods and epinephrine auto-injectors.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that dexamethasone was effective in treating mild to moderate asthma in ER patients with only slightly higher relapse rates compared to a 5-day course of prednisone. The single-dose medication eliminates prescription adherence barriers such as forgetfulness and cost.
A systematic review found that parents generally provide the most accurate estimates of their children's body weight in emergency departments. Length-based methods, such as the Broselow Tape, were the next most accurate, but still had limitations.
A study of nonurgent ED visits found that diagnostic services and procedures were provided in a significant percentage of cases, suggesting potential overuse or uncertainty among patients and healthcare professionals. The findings also highlighted similarities between nonurgent and urgent visit symptoms and diagnoses.
A study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that trauma patients receiving blood quickly after severe injuries have a decreased death risk. The delay in blood transfusion increased the chances of death, with each 10-minute delay resulting in higher mortality rates.
A review of 20 studies found little evidence that co-located primary care services can curb patient demand or improve emergency department throughput. In fact, set-up costs often outweigh marginal savings, and diverting patients to primary care may not be cost-effective.
A new study led by Grant Lipman found that applying paper tape to blister-prone areas before exercise prevented both incidence and frequency of foot blisters. The tape, commonly used for wound treatment, is mildly adhesive and doesn't tear blisters if they occur.
A recent case report found that a patient's activity tracker and smartphone helped identify the onset time of his atrial fibrillation, allowing for timely electrical cardioversion. The device provided critical information to medical providers, enabling more effective treatment decisions.
Emergency physicians face a growing challenge as the Baby Boomer generation ages; they need to balance documenting findings and referring patients with their obligations to prevent misunderstandings. Two studies highlight the importance of a team-based approach, including social workers and law enforcement, to identify elder abuse.
A new study found that conflicting expectations between parents and medical providers about scheduling follow-up appointments is the most common reason for patients not completing the HPV vaccine series. Researchers suggest improving education and dialogue between providers and parents to increase vaccination completion rates.
Researchers found that a parent-orientated discharge planning process, known as the Train-to Home intervention, can increase parental confidence in caring for their baby. The project resulted in fewer visits to emergency departments after going home and reduced healthcare costs after discharge from hospital.
A study at the University of Exeter found that young people who self-harm only seek emergency hospital care when their injuries are too serious or when complications arise. They experience punitive treatment and intense negative emotions, reinforcing feelings of shame and self-loathing.
Patients over 65 with cognitive impairment, discharge plan changes, and abnormal vital signs are at increased risk of ICU admission or death within 7 days. Abnormal vital signs like low blood pressure and high heart rate can lead to catastrophic events for discharged patients.