Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
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.
A new method of treating abscesses has been discovered, which involves adding an antibiotic to the conventional approach, resulting in improved recovery rates and reduced risk of MRSA infection spread. The study found that 93% of patients who took the antibiotic were cured, compared to 86% who received a placebo.
Researchers studied the 2014 EV-D68 outbreak, finding that confirmed infections grossly underestimates the true burden on children's hospitals. The study highlights the importance of resource utilization monitoring in future unexpected outbreaks.
A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization found that an estimated 312.9 million surgeries took place globally in 2012, with only 30% of operations occurring in low-income countries representing 71% of the global population.
A study by Northwestern University found that out-of-state visitors to Colorado's marijuana dispensaries are increasingly visiting the emergency room, with a 109% increase in 2014 compared to 2012. Adverse side effects of cannabis use include anxiety, hallucinations, and cardiovascular issues.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found ketamine to be an effective and safe sedation agent for patients with acute behavioral disturbances who do not respond to traditional methods. Only 10% of patients treated with ketamine required additional sedation or failed to achieve sedation within a set time frame.
The European Society of Cardiology has launched the first European advice on emergency care for patients with acute heart failure. The guidance highlights that mortality from acute heart failure is even higher than from a heart attack, and that care lags 30 years behind standard treatment pathways for heart attacks.
A study found a significant increase in mental health-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and office-based services among children and youth in Ontario, Canada. Anxiety disorders were the most common reason for these visits, accounting for 47% of the total increase.
Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease, can cause microcephaly in infants and mild flu-like symptoms in adults and children. The US is at risk of introduction, particularly with the presence of Aedes species mosquitoes in many states.
A study has identified a series of innovations that can help hospitals reduce unnecessary acute admissions. The research found that early patient assessment by senior staff played a central role in reducing admissions, with different approaches used across four hospitals in the south west of England. Patients were generally happy with ...
A study of 536 patients found that those admitted as medical emergencies at weekends are significantly older and more physically incapacitated than weekday admissions. The researchers suggest this may explain the higher death toll for weekend hospital admissions.
Research shows that placing a child in the recovery position after losing consciousness can lower hospital admission rates. However, most parents do not use this method and instead resort to potentially dangerous manoeuvres like shaking, slapping, or blowing on the face.
A study found that emergency department visits for young adults decreased by 0.5 percent following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, while visits for mental illnesses increased significantly. However, there was a notable decrease in ER visits for complications of pregnancy among this age group.
Children with lower socio-economic status have reduced access to neurology visits and increased emergency department visits due to transportation and employment barriers. These disparities highlight the need for additional support to reduce costly hospitalizations and improve specialist care access.
A randomized clinical trial found that ED-initiated palliative care consultations improved quality-of-life scores and median survival without shortening survival. The study suggests that ED visits can provide a unique opportunity for improved access to palliative care.
Emergency physicians propose three interventions to improve cardiac arrest survival rates: developing a national OHCA registry, encouraging bystander CPR, and fostering high-performance CPR. The authors argue that inadequate research funding is a significant problem, hindering efforts to reduce mortality rates.
A new study reveals a sharp increase in drug shortages affecting emergency care in the US, from 26 to 123, a 373% rise from 2008 to 2014. Life-threatening medications are particularly affected, leaving emergency department physicians without necessary treatments for critical patients.
A Temple University study found that an opioid prescribing guideline significantly decreased prescription rates for minor conditions and chronic noncancer pain in acute care settings. The guideline was implemented in January 2013 and resulted in a high degree of statistical significance across all age groups and complaint categories.
A study by Boston Medical Center found that nearly 3,000 individuals with chronic pain who experienced a nonfatal opioid overdose continued to be prescribed opioids, with 70% receiving prescriptions from the same provider. Patients who took high dosages were twice as likely to have another overdose at two years of follow-up.
A large inner city hospital in England found that almost three-quarters of weekend emergency care cases are linked to excess alcohol intake, resulting in significant costs for urban emergency care departments. The analysis, published online, reveals substantial costs for treating alcohol-related cases, with an annual bill of £1 million.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that 25% of emergency department visits involve patients with hypertension, with a 20% increase since 2006. Uncontrolled hypertension is a significant cause of death in the US, and lifestyle factors such as medication adherence and exercise can help manage the condition.
A randomized controlled trial found that isopropyl alcohol nasal inhalation reduced nausea scores by half and improved patient satisfaction compared to saline solution. The remedy has potential to alleviate symptoms of nearly five million emergency patients annually.
An analysis of over 1.3 million emergency department visits found that the presence of medical students was associated with a statistically significant increase in patient length of stay. However, this effect may be too small to have clinical relevance.
A study published in Health Affairs found that the most crowded US hospital emergency departments did not adopt effective interventions to improve flow, leading to worse patient care and outcomes. Despite increased adoption of strategies to reduce crowding over four years, many hospitals still failed to implement proven interventions.
Research shows that patients are not harmed during doctor strikes in developed countries when emergency care is available. Studies have found no significant increase in mortality rates during strikes, despite some concerns from healthcare professionals.
Decreasing county-wide psychiatric services led to a significant increase in emergency psychiatric consults and prolonged hospital stays. The study found that patients with mental illness faced greater challenges in accessing care, resulting in increased medical issues.
A new study found that older adults with dementia visit emergency departments at higher rates, are admitted to hospitals more often, and have a higher death rate after ED visits compared to those without dementia. The study also highlights the need for better care in fast-paced emergency departments.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that commercial electronic health record opioid warning systems often fire off unnecessary alerts, compromising patient safety. The alert fatigue issue highlights the need to refine these systems to highlight only clinically significant alerts.
A new study found that kids with asthma who make 5 acute care visits have a 87% probability of future emergency department visits. Early treatment and controlled asthma management significantly reduce asthma attacks and ED visits.
Researchers found that embedded clinical practice guidelines in patient electronic medical records during outpatient visits improved the use of severity measurement tools, referrals to rehabilitation programs, inhaler education, and vaccinations among stable COPD patients. The intervention also led to better quality of care measures.
A new UCLA study found that having a routine place for well and sick care is the most reliable predictor of whether a child will be readmitted to hospital. The study also revealed that parents' confidence in their children's continued good health is closely correlated with fewer unplanned readmissions.
A new study from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation found that nearly all nonprofit hospitals have written charity care policies, but many fail to notify patients about their potential eligibility or charge them fairly. Hospitals in states without expanded Medicaid reported having less generous ch...
A recent case series highlights the risk of EpiPen-related injuries in children, particularly thigh lacerations and embedded needles. The study recommends improving product design and instructions for use to reduce these risks, citing a safer alternative device as Auvi-Q.
Research found that physician care has the largest impact on overall pediatric patient satisfaction in outpatient specialty care, while nursing care was valued as most important in inpatient settings. Personal concern and ease of scheduling were also key factors in primary care.
Two new clinical decision instruments (DIs) can accurately identify blunt chest injury in patients. Chest CT-All correctly identified major or minor injuries 95.4% of the time, while Chest CT-Major identified major injuries with a high degree of accuracy. These DIs may reduce unnecessary scans by 25%-37%.
A nationally representative study found racial/ethnic minorities and unemployed individuals spent more time traveling to, waiting for, and receiving medical care. Face-to-face time with physicians averaged 20.5 minutes and did not vary by patient race/ethnicity.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that irrigation of cutaneous abscesses did not improve treatment success and may even increase the risk of microbiologic contamination. The study suggests that this procedure may not be necessary, potentially saving time and resources for emergency departments.
A 11-year study in Maryland showed that changes to trauma triage protocols decreased helicopter transport for trauma patients while improving patient outcomes. Ground transport increased by 33%, saving the state considerable money.
A recent ENA study found that moral distress in emergency nurses is caused by environmental factors such as excessive documentation and inadequate staffing. The study highlights the need for emergency departments to address these challenges to provide high-quality care.
A study found that commercial electronic health records (EHRs) increased emergency physicians' tasks performed per minute by nearly 12 percent, leading to potential patient safety hazards. The introduction of a commercial EHR imposed cognitive burdens on physicians, causing stress and frustration.
Researchers developed a method to measure cognitive load in medical assessments using eye-tracking glasses. Novices expend more mental effort than experts when answering medical questions, even when the answers are correct.
Boston Medical Center (BMC) has significantly reduced the average wait time for pediatric patients experiencing severe pain from sickle cell disease from 56 minutes to 23 minutes. The hospital's quality improvement initiative also improved care by reducing the time to administer pain medication and increase patient-controlled analgesics.