Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
A study of homeless, alcohol-dependent patients reveals that they often begin drinking as children, with most reporting abuse or neglect in their childhood homes. The majority of patients were unemployed and had entered detoxification programs multiple times before the study.
A new study found that working parents often turn to urgent care visits when their sick children are excluded from child care due to strict health rules. The study suggests that these exclusions create a socioeconomic emergency for many families, especially single/divorced parents and African Americans.
A RAND Corporation study emphasizes the urgent need to improve long-term care services for people with dementia and their caregivers. The study offers 25 high-impact policy options to address this growing concern, including increasing public awareness, improving access to services, and reducing financial burdens.
The UTHealth School of Nursing's post-master's emergency/trauma care program has transitioned to an online format thanks to a $1,103,048 grant award. This will enhance the educational experience for registered nurses pursuing advanced degrees or certificates in emergency and trauma care.
Research suggests that improving family doctor access during standard working hours could reduce the demand for out-of-hours primary care services. By offering more appointments during regular surgery hours, this approach might be more effective than extending opening hours.
Parents in low-income families with lower health insurance cost-sharing were less likely to delay or avoid taking their children to see a doctor. Many parents also reduced medication use and delayed visits due to financial stress, affecting their child's asthma care and control.
A new study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that only a small proportion of seizure patients receive electroencephalograms (EEGs) in the emergency department, which can lead to delayed or inaccurate diagnoses. The study suggests that this may impact admission decisions and hospital care for these patients.
A study by Henry Ford Health found that 77 percent of super-frequent ED users have a substance abuse addiction. Researchers also discovered that pain-relief narcotics were the most commonly abused substances among women. Implementing case management strategies and funding for substance abuse programs may help alleviate the problem.
A study published in CMAJ found that pregnant women are at a higher risk of serious traffic crashes during the second trimester, with a 42% increase in crashes compared to baseline. The researchers emphasize the importance of safe driving practices, such as avoiding excessive speed and minimizing distractions, to prevent accidents.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued updated policy statements recommending improved research and education on the treatment of children in urgent care centers. The guidelines emphasize the need for timely evaluation, stabilization, and transfer of children with emergencies, as well as consistent oversight and quality monitoring.
A recent study by Allina Health found that sharing clinical information with other health systems can avoid duplicative diagnostic procedures, such as blood work and imaging. By using the Care Everywhere tool, providers were able to eliminate 560 potentially duplicative diagnostic procedures.
Researchers found that integrating URI education into Early Head Start programs led to a decline in pediatric emergency visits and adverse care practices among predominantly Latino families. The intervention showed promise in addressing health literacy gaps, with significant reductions in over-the-counter medication misuse.
A recent study examined the impact of state Medicaid expansions on perceived access to care and emergency department use among enrollees. The results showed no evidence that expanding Medicaid coverage eroded access to care or increased ED use, contrary to previous concerns.
A study found that primary care providers were capable of accepting new patients prior to the start of the Affordable Care Act coverage expansions, with median wait times under one week. However, Medicaid patients faced significant barriers, with only 58% of practices offering an appointment.
A Rutgers report reveals young adults in low-income communities increasingly seek emergency department dental care, causing access and cost concerns. The study suggests expanding dentist office hours, implementing emergency department diversion programs, and increasing awareness among vulnerable populations to address these issues.
A recent study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found no correlation between painkillers, including opiates, and patient satisfaction scores in emergency departments. Instead, factors such as increasing age and male gender were linked to higher satisfaction scores.
Emergency department usage in Massachusetts rose by up to 2.2% after the implementation of a 2006 state law expanding health care access, according to a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study found that increased insurance coverage reduced financial barriers to care but did not significantly impact access to timely ...
A study found a small but consistent increase in emergency department visits after Massachusetts implemented its first-in-the-nation law to expand health care insurance coverage. The data showed an average annual increase of 1.2% in ER visits between 2006 and 2007, which rose to 2.2% by 2009.
A new study suggests that Medicaid expansion among low-income nonelderly adults can help prevent kidney failure and improve access to kidney disease care. States with broader Medicaid coverage have lower incidences of kidney failure and smaller insurance-related gaps in access to kidney disease care.
A large-scale randomized trial found that sepsis patients receive effective care regardless of treatment protocol, resolving a long-standing debate. The ProCESS trial showed no significant differences in survival rates among three groups: Early Goal-Directed Therapy, Protocolized Standard Care, and Standard Care.
Researchers found a decline in absolute mortality from severe sepsis, decreasing from 35.0% to 18.4%, resulting in a relative risk reduction of 47.5%. The annual decrease in mortality was consistent across various diagnoses and hospital settings.
A RAND Corporation study found that better continuity of care for patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure, or emphysema leads to significant reductions in hospital emergency department visits and hospitalizations. This improvement can result in substantial cost savings for Medicare, up to $1.5 billion per year.
A new study found that 21% of transgender people avoid EDs due to fear of negative experiences. Trans-specific negative experiences reported include refusal of care or examination in alignment with their felt/core gender. This highlights the need for better training and safe environments within EDs.
A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that a text-message program is an effective tool for preventing violence among at-risk teen girls. The program, which was developed with input from the teens themselves, provides personalized and positively worded messages to help them develop coping strategies and prev...
A Massachusetts General Hospital study identifies factors that increase the risk of subsequent overdoses requiring emergency department visits. Analysis found that repeat ED visits for opioid overdose are associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and respiratory failure.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have developed two inexpensive adapters that allow smartphones to capture high-quality images of the front and back of the eye. The adapters make it easy for anyone with minimal training to take a picture of the eye and share it securely with other health practitioners or store it i...
A study of STEMI patients found that patient and family satisfaction with acute care transfers was significant, with most feeling the transfer was necessary and well explained. However, some would have preferred to stay at their local facility.
A large-scale trial found that a patient-centered medical home program had limited impact on quality of care, but did not reduce hospital or emergency department use. The study measured outcomes in 32 participating primary care practices and compared them to 29 control practices.
A three-year pilot of medical homes showed few improvements in care quality and no reductions in hospital visits or costs. Despite adopting new capabilities, most practices did not see significant reductions in healthcare utilization or total costs.
A Stanford study analyzing over 4,500 trauma cases found that insured patients are more likely to be admitted to non-trauma centers and receive worse care. This is because hospitals may admit insured patients to generate revenue, despite the risk of sub-optimal care.
A recent study found that nearly 22% of Medicare patients require emergency care within 30 days of discharge from a nursing facility, highlighting the need for improved transitions. Factors such as race, diagnosis, and previous hospitalizations are associated with a higher risk of rehospitalization.
A study analyzing patient telephone records at an IBD clinic found that frequent callers are more likely to be hospitalized or enter the emergency room. The analysis identified patterns of phone calls as a predictor of future medical interventions.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that states decriminalizing marijuana saw a dramatic increase in children requiring medical intervention at emergency rooms. High-dose edible products containing tetrahydrocannabinol were identified as a significant contributor to these incidents.
A new study supports tele-emergency services in extending emergency care to rural areas. The research found that 95% of respondents felt tele-emergency improved the quality of care at their facility, with benefits including second opinions and adherence to evidence-based protocols.
Researchers found that emergency patients were 59% less likely to have repeated CT scans, 44% less likely for ultrasounds, and 67% less likely for chest X-rays when both hospitals shared patient records. The study suggests health information exchanges (HIEs) may deliver efficiency they promise.
Early ultrasound training can enhance diagnostic skills and detect life-threatening conditions like cardiac tamponade. Medical students performed better in detecting valvular disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiac dysfunction using ultrasounds compared to trained cardiologists.
Delirium in older patients is frequently overlooked due to the lack of screening tools in emergency departments. The condition can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased mortality rates, and a higher risk of developing dementia. Researchers call for the development of emergency department-specific screening instruments to improve ...
A unique study on Oregon's citizens found that adults covered by Medicaid use emergency rooms 40% more than those without health insurance. The research sheds light on the inner workings of healthcare in the US, challenging traditional economics frameworks suggesting that insurance would decrease medical care usage.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found no significant difference in survival rates between gunshot and stabbing victims transported by police or EMS. The study examined over 4,100 patients and found that those transported by police were more likely to die due to their initial severity of injury.
A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that Medicaid beneficiaries are more likely to seek emergency care due to access issues rather than the severity of their illness. The study suggests that policy makers should focus on increasing timely access to primary care, especially for Medicaid beneficiaries.
The Affordable Care Act authorizes $100 million in annual grants to help defray substantial uncompensated care costs, further the core mission of trauma centers, and provide emergency relief. Trauma systems emphasize coordination among multiple health care professionals and institutions across the continuum of care.
A Utah prison outbreak of severe botulism poisoning from homemade pruno highlights the importance of prompt medical attention. The CDC's anti-toxin is rarely administered due to lengthy supply chains, emphasizing the need for emergency physicians to act quickly on clinical suspicion.
Researchers found that initiating palliative care consultations in emergency departments (EDs) reduced hospital length of stay by an average of 3.6 days compared to patients receiving consultations after admission. This study suggests that EDs could be a setting for improving patient-centered care and reducing healthcare costs.
Researchers found no evidence to support routine screening for high-risk patients before administering a single oral dose of ondansetron. ECG screening and electrolyte testing should be targeted to patients with known risk factors, while it's not warranted in low-risk individuals.
Frequent emergency department users have substantial burden of disease, often with multiple chronic conditions and hospitalizations. Predictive modeling based on initial ED visit data can identify individuals likely to return frequently.
A new study published in Health Affairs suggests that providers and organizations can reduce acute care costs through public health measures and educational initiatives. The authors propose a fee-for-service payment system with incentives based on resource and quality measures to encourage high-value care.
A new approach to palliative care has been shown to reduce emergency room visits and improve overall care for high-risk geriatric patients. The customized care model, matched to their changing needs at home, also reduces healthcare costs.
A recent case series of serious injuries at the Tough Mudder event highlights the risks associated with extreme sports events. Participants experienced a range of severe injuries, including multiple electrical burns, seizure-induced Todd's paralysis, and face and head trauma.
The NHS 111 service increased emergency ambulance calls, attendances at emergency care departments, and use of urgent care services during its first year of operation. Despite being designed to direct patients to the most appropriate level of care, NHS 111 did not reduce these pressures.
A recent study found that adults with developmental disabilities, such as autism and Down syndrome, face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. The research suggests that these individuals require more comprehensive and coordinated care, including preventive measures like cancer screening, to manage their complex health issues. ...
A study found that Twitter is used by individuals and organizations involved in clinical toxicology and poison control to share information on diagnosis, management, and conferences. The audit yielded 51 relevant accounts with an average of 1,084 followers.
A new study found that nail gun injuries are increasingly common, especially among young males in work settings. The researchers also noted that public consumers are at risk of injury from these devices.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that diabetic patients treated in the emergency department who received automated daily text messages improved their blood glucose levels and self-reported medication adherence. The program reduced the need for emergency department visits and was well-received by participants.
A recent Canadian study found that transgender patients often avoid emergency department care due to perceptions of discrimination or poor treatment. Nearly three-quarters of those who needed care were able to access it in the ER, but nearly half reported negative experiences related to their trans status.
A new study from Duke University shows that nurse home visits can significantly reduce the need for emergency care in infants. The program, Durham Connects, costs an average of $700 per family and has been shown to decrease emergency care episodes by 50% in the first year of life.
A new pocket manual for first aid teams will help improve heart attack survival rates across Europe by providing quick access to treatment protocols. The toolkit, developed by the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association, is small and easy-to-use, with illustrations showing exactly what needs to be done for patients in an emergency.
A new study predicts that the Affordable Care Act will increase emergency department reimbursements by 17% for uninsured patients on Medicaid and 39% for those switching to private insurance. This could help reverse a decades-long trend of uncompensated care in ERs.
Researchers at George Washington University found that outpatient emergency department encounters could reimburse more for patients gaining Medicaid or private insurance through the Affordable Care Act. On average, uninsured patients who will be eligible for Medicaid would receive 17% higher reimbursement per visit, while those becomin...
The American Thoracic Society expert panel recommends that patients work with their providers to develop individualized action plans to prevent 'dyspnea crisis' episodes. These plans can include alternative relaxation and breathing techniques, medications, and oxygen therapy to ease symptoms.
A systematic review of outside interventions found two-thirds of studies showed reductions in ED visits, with patient education being the most effective. However, some interventions increased overall healthcare consumption without reducing ED use, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of new programs.