Articles tagged with Emergency Medicine
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A study by the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that crowded emergency departments lead to delayed and less effective pain management for children with acute long bone fractures. Patients were 4-47% less likely to receive timely care and 3-17% less likely to receive effective care when crowding was high.
A new study found that nearly all emergency departments in Indiana shared patients, challenging conventional wisdom about health care systems. The research highlights the need for instant access to patient information across geographic areas and the nation.
A study found a 44% increase in hospitals offering definitive emergency care for heart attacks since 2001, but only a 1% increase in access to that care. Regional variation is significant, with highest access in the Northeast and lowest in the South.
Mayo Clinic researchers found that elective angioplasties performed without on-site cardiac surgery capabilities pose no increased risk for patient death or emergency bypass surgery. The study included thousands of patients and showed mortality rates were similar for centers with and without on-site surgery.
Researchers found that probiotic treatment increased interferon levels and reduced the number of infections in ICU patients. Probiotics also helped to shift the balance of the immune system, reducing Th2-associated factors and promoting a healthier response.
A team of Canadian researchers is working to address a knowledge gap in providing paediatric care for children in rural areas. The Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) project aims to improve diagnosis and treatment methods for common illnesses such as croup.
A comprehensive three-year study will investigate the reasons behind providing futile medical treatment to dying patients, exploring factors such as doctor concerns about legal liability and family influences. The research aims to identify the extent of this issue, its cost, and suggestions for addressing its causes.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals a 10-fold increase in retail clinic usage between 2007 and 2009, driven by factors such as age, health status, income, and proximity. Retail clinics are found to be more effective for managing simple acute conditions like upper respiratory infections and ear infections.
Alyssa Turner, a pediatric emergency department fellow, has been awarded the Willis Wingert Award for her platform presentation on the impact of ultrasound-guided femoral nerve blocks. Her research found that this technique improves pain control in children with femur fractures and reduces adverse effects.
A Pitt study found that EMS workers' perceptions of workplace safety culture are associated with negative patient and provider safety outcomes. The analysis of 412 surveys showed that individual EMS worker perceptions impact composite measures of patient and provider safety outcomes.
A recent study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that fatigue and poor sleep quality among emergency medical services (EMS) workers are associated with higher rates of injuries, medical errors, and safety-compromising behaviors. The study suggests that improving sleep quality and reducing fatigue may be key targets for inte...
Research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that 57% of cardiac arrest patients' treatment with hypothermia involved documentation of poor prognosis, with 25% of patients having their care withdrawn within 72 hours after arrest. Despite this, over 20% of patients survived to discharge with good neurological ou...
The IPAL-EM initiative aims to integrate palliative care into emergency departments, reducing symptoms and anxiety while improving patient safety and satisfaction. By providing access to palliative care, the initiative seeks to improve quality of life for both patients and their families.
A study published in BMC Emergency Medicine found that higher body mass index (BMI) and fitness levels improve CPR performance, while lower BMI and fitness lead to decreased compression depth and fatigue. The researchers recommend changing CPR providers every two minutes to prevent tiredness from impeding proper compression.
Earthquakes result in massive death tolls due to trauma, crush injuries, and disruptions to medical services. Many victims succumb to complications, sepsis, or organ failure, while others experience mental health problems like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A study from Rhode Island Hospital found that emergency department staff perceptions of their roles significantly impact patient satisfaction. The researchers used a web survey to identify gaps in key indicators of patient satisfaction, with staff reporting changes or reconsidering their role responsibilities.
The study found a significant increase in pediatric psychiatric visits to emergency departments, with the underinsured group experiencing the largest growth. The data show that publicly insured patients are forced to seek care in EDs due to limited outpatient mental health resources.
A 22-year retrospective analysis of brain dead organ donors in the Netherlands found that discussing donation with relatives earlier may negatively impact consent rates. The introduction of the Donor Register in 1998 increased patient-consent rates seven-fold, from 5.7% to 41%.
A new study found that nearly one in four Americans must travel farther to a nearest trauma center due to hospital closures, especially affecting African Americans, poor and uninsured residents. The study highlights the need for policy makers to subsidize trauma centers serving vulnerable communities.
Research found that under 16s comprise just 0.6% of national NHS patient surveys since 2004, with most young adults being less satisfied with their care than older adults
Hasbro Children's Hospital is part of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), a federally funded network focused on preventing and managing acute illnesses in children. The hospital will collaborate with other pediatric emergency departments to advance research in head trauma, bronchiolitis, and other areas.
A review article by BUSM professor Judith A. Linden outlines comprehensive protocols for evaluating and treating adult victims of sexual assault in emergency departments and primary care settings. The article highlights the importance of evidence collection, emotional support, and medical follow-up appointments to provide optimal care.
A new Johns Hopkins study reveals that uninsured trauma patients are 60% more likely to seek follow-up care in the emergency department (ED) for minor medical needs. This is despite having access to free follow-up appointments. Patients living in poor neighborhoods and those with Medicaid or Medicare are also more likely to use the ED.
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that temporary emergency department staff are more likely to be involved in medication errors that harm patients. The research found that temporary workers' unfamiliarity with hospital systems, protocols, and procedures increases the risk of serious medical errors.
According to a study, nearly all heart attack patients requiring emergency angioplasty are now treated within the recommended time frame, with a significant improvement from less than half the patients five years prior. The median door-to-balloon time has declined from 96 to 64 minutes during this period.
A study found a clear association between after-hours care clinic accessibility and reduced emergency department use. The clinic saw a 40% decrease in semi-urgent patients visiting the ER, suggesting better resource allocation.
The study found that CT scan use grew 11 times faster than the rate of ED visits during the study period, increasing from 3.2% to 13.9% between 1996 and 2007.
Patient demand for care from safety-net providers in Massachusetts has increased despite expanded insurance coverage following state's passage of health care reform. Newly insured patients continued to seek care at these sites due to convenient locations and affordable services.
A shortage of primary care physicians and limited access to these services are contributing to rising numbers of emergency department visits in the US. The study found that nearly 98% of Americans have health insurance coverage, yet barriers such as wait times and transportation issues remain a major challenge.
A new University of Cincinnati study found that missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis occur in 157 visits to an academic emergency department, 24 visits in an urban community hospital and six visits to a suburban community hospital.
A Harvard study reveals that access to outpatient psychiatric care in Massachusetts is severely limited, even for those with private insurance. The researchers found that only a small percentage of facilities listed by the largest insurer offered appointments within two weeks of a simulated patient's call.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that 30-40% of women in Sudan, Uganda, and Congo do not want more children, yet only 4-16% use modern contraception. This gap highlights the need for increased family planning services in conflict-affected regions.
A new set of guidelines addresses how to manage emergency situations with minimal equipment in an African context. The guidelines can be used by individuals and organizations involved in first aid training programs in Africa.
A study found that expanding Medicaid coverage to low-income adults increases healthcare use and improves self-reported health and well-being. The study used a randomized controlled trial and compared outcomes between those randomly selected into the program and those not selected, avoiding common limitations of previous studies.
A study of over 4,500 hospitals found that critical access hospitals (CAHs) in rural areas had fewer clinical capabilities and worse patient outcomes compared to non-CAHs. CAHs were less likely to have intensive care units, cardiac catheterization capabilities, and basic electronic health records.
A citywide study found racial disparities in the use of clot-busting drugs for acute ischemic stroke treatment due to delays in seeking care and medical conditions. Despite no racial bias detected in doctors' treatment decisions, education is needed to address these disparities and improve outcomes.
Researchers found that a coordinated care system significantly reduced door-in-door-out times for STEMI patients, with median transfer times decreasing from 97 minutes to 58 minutes after implementation. The system improved outcomes and was supported by the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline initiative.
A randomized study found outpatient care for low-risk patients with pulmonary embolism to be as safe and effective as inpatient care. The study showed reduced rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding, and death in outpatient patients.
A large national multi-center study found that most children with minor blunt head trauma and normal CT scans do not require hospitalization for further observation. Children who were hospitalized after normal CT scans did not have subsequent abnormal CT scans or MRIs, and none required neurosurgical intervention.
A Penn study reveals that specialty physicians turn away two-thirds of children with public insurance, exacerbating existing healthcare disparities. Children with identical conditions and private insurance face significantly shorter wait times for appointments.
A new study links heart attack death rates to ambulance diversion, revealing that overtaxed emergency rooms lead to worse patient outcomes. For every 100 patients with acute myocardial infarction, there are three potentially avoidable deaths when ambulances are diverted for long periods.
A study found that ambulance diversion, a practice to reduce overcrowding, may increase mortality for patients with acute myocardial infarction. Patients exposed to 12 or more hours of diversion had higher mortality rates at 30-day, 90-day, 9-month, and 1-year follow-ups.
A University of Cincinnati researcher is using simulation modeling to study the impact of electronic health record implementation on emergency departments. The study aims to quantify the operational disruption caused by EHRs and optimize efficiency during implementation.
A new study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that Massachusetts' health care reform law increased overall emergency department visits by 4.1% between 2006 and 2008, but reduced low-severity visits for the uninsured and Medicaid recipients. The authors suggest that limitations on primary care access and low co-payments ma...
A survey of 418 ED physicians found that 59% acknowledge less empathy for frequent users, who visit the ED at least 10 times a year. The study highlights the challenges posed by these patients and the need for hospital administrators to develop programs to manage their care.
Researchers found that recent hospitalizations significantly increase the likelihood of emergency department re-admissions, highlighting the importance of emergency departments in preventing readmissions. The study suggests that emergency physicians can play a crucial role in reducing re-admissions by taking care of patients and sendin...
A Rhode Island Hospital study found that female victims of community violence are more likely to be injured by a non-partner or intimate partner, and less likely to be injured by a weapon. The study also highlights the importance of accurate documentation and charting of youth injuries.
A recent study found that patients who delay seeking emergency medical care for asthma exacerbations are more likely to be sicker and hospitalized than those who seek care earlier. The study also revealed that patients who postponed treatment were not more likely to consult physicians before coming to the emergency department, but rath...
A study found that African-American children are more likely to have poorer lung function and less well-controlled asthma upon their first visit to an asthma specialist. They also reported a greater burden from asthma, with more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit stays.
Physicians may be complicit in torture if they care for patients at the request of their torturers, but refusing treatment can abandon a patient in need. Guidelines suggest minimizing complicity by assessing consequences and following patient requests to mitigate or prevent acts of torture.
A retrospective cohort study found that early antiretroviral therapy (cART) reduces mortality among HIV-infected adults with tuberculosis. Additionally, the inclusion of five psychotropic medicines in emergency health kits addresses a fundamental inequity in mental healthcare during humanitarian emergencies.
Physicians suggest that airlines adopt standardized recording systems for in-flight medical emergencies and mandatory reporting to the National Transportation Safety Board. They also recommend enhanced training for flight attendants and standardized communication with ground-to-air medical support.
The NCRP workshop aims to define circumstances for assessing the value of CT scanning while addressing issues of utilization patterns, radiation exposures, and overutilization. Participating organizations offer recommendations to control the inappropriate use of CT in emergency departments.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that black cardiac arrest victims are less likely to survive when treated in hospitals with a high proportion of black patients. The study analyzed Medicare records and found that only 31% of black patients treated in such hospitals survived, compared to 46% in pr...
A proposed Emergency Surgery Coalition aims to prevent supply delays and duplication of services after natural disasters. The coalition, involving experienced surgical humanitarian agencies, could support improved surgical delivery.
A pilot program in Baltimore City identified frequent 911 callers and paired them with case workers, reducing calls by nearly half while improving access to care. The study found significant savings and benefits for participants, highlighting the potential for targeted interventions to improve EMS efficiency.
Stillbirths in low-income and middle-income countries are a major concern, with 98% of all stillbirths occurring in these regions. The Lancet report highlights the need for improved data collection and classification of programmatic causes of stillbirths.
The American College of Physicians urges a national policy to ensure better access to healthcare for immigrants, who face numerous barriers, including lack of insurance and fear of deportation. The organization emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns to prevent public health issues and promote equitable care.
Research reveals that physician-based pre-hospital critical care support is scarce, particularly evenings and weekends. Critical care doctors are needed to improve survival rates for severely injured patients before hospital admission.
A new 2-hour accelerated diagnostic protocol identified 352 patients with chest pain at low risk of major adverse cardiac events, who could be discharged earlier. The 99% accurate protocol uses point-of-care biomarkers, ECG, and TIMI score to classify patients.